Karen Lynn Pelzer

Karen Lynn Pelzer, 57, of Greeley died May 31, 2015 at Hospice of Northern Colorado, surrounded by her family. She was born March 30, 1958 at Weld County General Hospital in Greeley, CO to Ramon Carl and Marijane (Lind) Moore.

Karen was raised in Greeley. She was the first class to go from Kindergarten through 6th grade at Brentwood Elementary School and graduated from Greeley Central High School in 1976. Karen attended the University of Northern Colorado where she graduated in 1980 with a major in Communication and minors in Journalism and Business. During her time at UNC, Karen was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority and served as the Vice President for University Relations on the Student Representative Council.

Upon graduation, Karen began a career in Human Resources. She was the Human Resources Manager for Security Life of Denver, Corporate Human Resources Manager for Western Mobile and finally was the Human Resource Manager for RR Donnelly in Greeley.

In 1997, she left the corporate world behind and joined her brother, Carl Moore, in opening Wm. Moore Jewelers in downtown Greeley. She counted the ensuing 17 years as the most blessed time in her life, being able to work with her brother every day, helping people to find a special piece of jewelry for a loved one.

Pelzer had a love for her home state and while she travelled much during her HR career, vacations were always a time for her to head to her beloved mountains where she loved to camp, fish and spend time with family and friends. She often said she felt closest to God when she was sitting alone on a mountain top.

Pelzer also loved spending time with her family at home. She especially enjoyed putting together the family holiday celebrations and was a wonderful cook. Her favorite time of the day was early in the morning out in her garden. She also enjoyed canning the harvest each year to create special meals during the long winter months. A true homebody, Pelzer was happiest when she was home with family and friends.

To say that Karen had an abiding love for her country would be an understatement. She became active as a volunteer for the Republican Party in 2004. In 2009, she was elected to her first term as Chair for the Weld County Republican Party, a position she was re-elected to in 2011 and 2013. She was actively serving as the Chair in her third term at the time of her death.

Karen was named to fill a vacancy on the State Executive Committee by then State GOP Chair, Dick Wadhams in 2010 and was then elected to be the 4th Congressional District Representative to the State Executive Committee in 2011 and again in 2013. She was also serving in this capacity at the time of her death.

Karen was also one of three people who were elected to represent the 4th Congressional District as Delegates at the National Republican Convention in Tampa, FL in 2012. She was also elected by her fellow Delegates to serve as one of two members from Colorado on the Credential Committee at the Convention.

Karen’s greatest love was for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She believed in working with and for organizations in our community who followed the Lord as well, and spent both time and treasured helping these organizations be successful throughout the course of her life.

Karen is survived by her husband, Neil J. Pelzer of Greeley; her mother, Marijane L. Moore of Greeley; two brothers, W. Carl Moore (Ginger) of Greeley and R. Curt Moore (Kira) of Windsor; one niece, Abigail P. Moore of Greeley; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Karen was preceded in death by her father, Ramon Carl Moore of Greeley; her grandparents, William and Mary Lind of Greeley, and Anita and Carl Moore of Greeley.

A visitation will be held from 5-8:00 P.M. Thursday, June 4, 2015 at the Allnutt Macy Chapel. A viewing will be held starting at 10:00 A.M. with services to follow at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, June 5, 2015 at the Calvary Church of Greeley. Interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made in Karen’s name to the Weld Food Bank, Hospice of Northern Colorado or the Pregnancy Resource Center, all organizations that Karen supported in her lifetime, in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631. Friends may view the online obituary and send condolences at www.allnutt.com.