Karen Pierson Henry, 80

Karen Pierson Henry, 80, of Pinehurst, Idaho, passed away Sept. 26, 2020, at Shoshone Medical Center in Kellogg, Idaho. She was born on April 29, 1940, in Ogden, Utah. Karen was the daughter of Wesley Pierson and Tyra Grant. Her family moved to Richland, Wash., where her father worked at the Hanford Nuclear Facility for several years before moving back to Utah.

After graduating from Ogden High School, Karen moved to San Francisco where she made her mark in the vibrant and bustling business community of San Francisco in the turbulent 1960s. Karen owned two successful bar businesses, one called Karen’s Corner and another called Paradise Cafe. These businesses helped put her through college where she earned a degree in Social Services from San Francisco State College.

In 1974, Karen, her partner, Bill Hopper and daughter, Heidi, moved to Idaho where she delighted in learning “back to the land” skills like chopping off chicken heads, fermenting Huckleberry wine and making deer fat soap. After their son, Justin, was born, she and Bill moved to an old log house up Pinecreek which they remodeled and modernized. She began work first for Shoshone County, then as a social worker for the state of Idaho in Child and Adult Protection. In 1980, the family moved to Oklahoma where Karen worked on a chicken ranch and learned the habits of poisonous snakes, chiggers and tornados! She returned to the Silver Valley in 1982 where she developed and ran the Alcohol Rehabilitation Center in Kellogg after which she again worked for Health and Welfare until retirement.

Always an entrepreneur at heart, Karen owned and operated several businesses. After her divorce from Bill, she married Dale Henry. They ran a popular B&B in Montana. Dale preceded her in death in 1994.

After returning to the Silver Valley, Karen met Ted North and together they ran Outlaw Logging and an RV Park in Big Creek. They were united in marriage on Aug. 26, 2010, at French Gulch Farms in Kingston, Idaho.

In retirement, Karen continued to enjoy gardening, chicken farming, pottery and horseback riding. She also volunteered on the Young Accountability Board and worked part time for Loving Care and More. Although officially retired from social work, Karen was always supportive of child protection and elderly services and was frequently approached for advice and counsel. She and Ted both liked to travel and were delighted to be able to attend her daughter, Heidi’s wedding at Kinnitty Castle, Ireland, in 2008. In later years, she was frustrated by health issues, but remained cheerful and hopeful. Last April, she celebrated her 80th birthday with a virtual drive by party.

Karen is survived by her husband, Ted North of Pinehurst; two children, Justin Hopper of Maple Valley, Wash., and Heidi Hopper Duffy (husband Philip) of Dublin, Ireland; two grandsons, Hudson Hopper and Matiyos Hopper, both of Maple Valley; along with step-children and step-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Judy Hurley of Carmel, Calif.; her brother, Kevin Pierson of Utah; and numerous nieces and nephews. Many close friends and former colleagues also remember her with affection and will mourn her passing. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Wesley and Tyra Pierson; and former husbands, Bill Hopper and Dale Henry.

A celebration of life will be held for Karen at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, at the Pinecreek Tavern. It is a potluck.

Shoshone Funeral Services & Crematory, Kellogg, is entrusted with services. You may share your memories of Karen and sign her guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com.