Karen Elaine Zellmer

1946 - 2025

Karen Elaine Zellmer, 79, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on May 4, 2025.

Karen was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Jan. 15, 1946. After graduating high school, she attended South Dakota State University, Augustana University, and completed her bachelor's degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

In 1968 she met her husband of 54 years, Jerome Zellmer, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After getting married in December 1970 they started their Alaska adventure by driving a $500, 1953, 16-foot International freight truck up the Alcan. At one point in the journey, the freight truck slid off the road during an ice storm, and Jerome hitch hiked 50 miles back to the nearest town to get chains while Karen guarded the truck overnight in below freezing conditions. They settled in the "out of town" area of Chena Ridge, and built their forever home from a kit that was delivered from Seattle, Washington.

Karen worked as a teller at First Federal Bank, an events coordinator at the UAF Wood Center, and taught home economics at Nenana School before starting a family. Karen and Jerome raised and nurtured their children, creating a wonderful life filled with goats, chickens, honey bees and an abundant garden.

While raising her children, Karen shared her passions for faith, sewing, quilting, cooking, baking, crafting, creating, journaling and musicals with those around her. As the family grew, Karen and Jerome excavated a new foundation by hand for the addition that would double the size of their original house, create a bed and breakfast and a welcoming space for family and friends that would last to this day. She was actively involved with Fairbanks Lutheran Church, making a point of welcoming everyone with an open heart and served as the church secretary, vacation bible school teacher and food bank coordinator. One of her biggest joys was traveling throughout the world and creating memories with her husband, children and grandchildren.

Karen is celebrated by her family and friends for her wit, creativity, intelligence, kindness, support and unconditional love. She is survived by her husband, Jerome Zellmer, of Fairbanks; her daughter, Katie Harrison (Tom Harrison), of Talkeetna; her son, Joshua Zellmer (Bethany Zellmer) of Anchorage; her daughter, Betsy Sanborn, of Fairbanks; and her son, Zach Zellmer (Kim Zellmer), of Austin, Texas. Her beloved grandchildren are Caleb Sanborn, Amara Sanborn, Mason Pankhurst, Eli Zellmer and Allie Zellmer.

There will be no formal service. Based on their experience with the incredible support provided by hospice, donations can be made to Fairbanks Memorial Hospice Services, in memory of Karen Zellmer.