Karen Rose Hannem died peacefully in her sleep at home on November 2nd, 2019. Born in Chicago, Illinois on November 23rd, 1948, Karen grew up in Cicero, Illinois, and dreamed of teaching Kindergarten. After moving to California, she pursued her education in early childhood development, and eventually worked as an instructional aide for the Hemet Unified School District for ten years before her battle with Lymphoma ended her career. Karen loved to cook and was a lifelong vegetarian and animal lover. She took in many stray dogs over the years, always putting the safety and wellbeing of the animals under her care before herself.
Karen was preceded in death by her father, Elmer Balyeat, and her husband of almost 38 years Donald Hannem. She is survived by her mother LaVerne Balyeat, daughter Rebecca Young, sons Charlie, Wesley, and Timm Hannem, and grandchildren Brendan Young, Luke, Elliott, McKenna, and Benjamin Hannem.
A celebration of life will be held at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Hemet on Thursday, November 14th, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the Ramona Animal Shelter.
