Karen Ilene Arnold

07/25/37 12/31/11

Lifelong resident of Humboldt County. Born July 25, 1937 in Eureka to William and Ethel (Hecker) Wilkinson Sr. She was the youngest daughter of a family of eight.

She attended Jefferson Elementary, Eureka Junior and High Schools. Karen managed and operated the Vance Hotel and Log Cabin for many years under the ownership of Glen Jarman and Sam Stanson until its closure. She was a proud member of the Bear River Tribe. She also loved to play dice, poker and especially her casinos. Her many cats were like her kids. She was a devoted Giants Baseball and 49er fan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband John Grandel (Granny Goose) Arnold. Sisters Lucy Sand Walker, Kaye Deyarmie, Wilma Landers, Virginia Crabtree Graham. Brothers Darrell and William Wilkinson Jr. Nephews Elvin Landers Jr and William Sand. Grand Nephew Casey Sand. Great grand nephew Brayden Allen Ford.

She is survived by her sister Jo Startare, sister-in-law Vera Wilkinson. Nieces Jean Reeder, Sharon (Wendy) Freeman, Pat (Bill) Wright, Linda (Jim) Pankey, Beverly (Marty) Barber, Sheila Sand Alcantar, Nancy Deyarmie, Marie (John) Treankle, Tami Sundquist, Ethelyn Crabtree (Daniel) Gonazalez and Marlena (Rob) Barrows. Nephews Calvin Sand, Fred (Linda) Sundquist Jr, Tad(Cyndi) Sundquist, John (Star) Crabtree and Dennis Sand. She is survived by numerous grand nieces and nephews. Private graveside service will be held on Saturday, January 7th, 2012. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sequoia Humane Society.

Published in Eureka Times-Standard on January 5, 2012

Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Mortuary, Eureka, CA.