Karen Louise Hammerquist Gurnett

9/3/1957 – 6/14/2023

Karen Gurnett

Karen Louise (Hammerquist) Gurnett was born September 3rd,1957 in San Jose, California. She was the third of four children (and only girl) born to Eric Martin Hammerquist, Jr., and June Katherine (Lindus) Hammerquist. She passed away on June 14th, 2023, due to complications sustained during surgery.

Karen lived most of her life in Edmonds, Washington, graduating from Woodway High School in 1975. She then attended Shoreline Community College, majoring in cosmetology. It was there that she established priceless friendships that lasted her lifetime. Karen began work at a hair salon at Firdale Village; she later went on to buy the salon, renaming it Edmonds Mane Attraction. More recently, she sold her salon, moved into a smaller salon, and continued to cut hair on a part-time basis. She developed many long-time relationships with her valued clients.

Gardening was a passion of Karen’s, and she was a long-time member of the Edmonds Garden Club. She also made beautiful metal bracelets and intricate beaded necklaces. Travel was another of her passions, her most recent trip being to French Polynesia in May.

Karen’s biggest passion was her family. She married wild and crazy Ken Gurnett on July 10, 1982, and began the trip of a lifetime. They spent time camping, skiing, and spending time at the Camano Island beach cabin before Kelsey joined their little family in 1983, and then Kody in 1985. After that, life was a blur of activity with baseball, softball, and swimming. Kelsey continues to be a world adventurer, scuba diver, and now pilot of small planes. Kody married Becky Heiner in 2020 and started his own family. In 2021, Karen became a very doting grandma, with the birth of her beloved little Lyla.

She is survived by her husband Ken, daughter Kelsey, and son Kody (Becky) and granddaughter Lyla. She is also survived by her brothers Ken, Alan (Nancy) and Greg (Jana), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and cousins.

There will be a Celebration of Karen’s life on July 22, 2023, from 2PM to 6PM at Karen and Ken’s home. Call 425-672-1877 for directions.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Karen’s memory to a charity of your choice or one of the following charities:

-American Brain Tumor Association— www.abta.org

-Wounded Warrior Project— www.woundedwarriorproject.org