Karen L. Hughes of Montesano passed away Tuesday, April 19, 2022, surrounded by family at her home, at the age of 78.

Karen was born to Richard and Pauline (Polly) Lauck on June 8, 1943, in Portland, Oregon. Karen’s family moved to Hoquiam, Washington at a very young age, where she went on to graduate from Hoquiam High School in 1961. After graduation Karen briefly moved back to Oregon where she worked at Weyerhaeuser. She then moved back to Washington.

On June 1, 1962, she married Richard L. Gates of Aberdeen, Washington in Missouri, where he was actively stationed in the Army. Richard was then stationed in Germany where Karen joined him. Together they had two children. Richard and Karen later divorced.

On Oct. 12, 2003, Karen married her long-time partner John H. Hughes of Montesano, in Maui. This was a favorite vacation destination for them. They resided in Montesano.

Karen worked at many places, some of which were: Coast Mortgage and Title, GH Amusement Co., Gates CB, GH Assessor’s Office, and Universal Refiner where she worked side-by-side with her husband John.

Some favorite pastimes of Karen’s were gardening, traveling with John, dancing, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who called her “Grandma Goose.” She was given this name by her son-in-law before her first granddaughter was born, and it stuck as a lifetime nickname. She loved it so much that she later got a Granny Goose tattoo! Karen was a member of the Montesano Presbyterian Church.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Wayne R. Lauck and his wife Arlene Lauck.

She is survived by her husband John, her daughter Lori (Wayne) Minzey, her son Richard “Rick” (Cindy) Gates, her granddaughter Justine (Jordan) Brown and their children Tanner and Willow, her grandson Brad Minzey, her nephews, John’s children Joe, Dan, and Laurie and their children;; Sharon Taylor longtime friend, as well as Wendy Keith, beloved caregiver to Karen.

One of Karen’s favorite things to do was to take a friend to lunch so the family asks in lieu of flowers to take your friend to lunch. Arrangements were made by McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home in Shelton.

A celebration of life will be held at the Montesano Presbyterian Church on Saturday, July 23 at 2 p.m., followed by desserts and coffee.