Karen Patricia Palmer

Slipping away quietly into heaven during the twilight hours, Karen left this world behind on Saturday, May 4th.

Karen, 68, was born and raised in Butte, MT. Karen spent her early years riding bareback through the flats south of town, traveling to polo matches and watching her dad team rope. Some of her favorite memories growing up were the magic found at the Columbia Gardens and riding with younger sisters. Karen was Butte through and through, refusing to give up the “r” in her washing.

After high school, Karen moved to Anaconda, working various jobs around The Smelter with her dad. First married in 1975, a union that blessed Karen with her two daughters. Karen later met a welder from Idaho who turned out to hold half of her soul, and on a rainy day in the fall of 1988, Karen married Lynn Palmer, a union that would span over three decades. Soon after they moved their family to a ranch outside of Drummond.

After enrolling her oldest into the local 4H club, Karen quickly fell in love with 4H. Volunteering as leader for the Golden Opportunity 4H Club before turning her passion into a career of over 25 years as an Administrative Assistant for Montana State University Extension. Karen served the youth of Granite County for over 30 years through 4H, helping calculate how many days of a finish ration was needed to pinning bugs, Karen could do it all. One of Karen’s many talents was her ability to identify any noxious weed in the county, a skill she used during her time with the Granite County Weed Department.

Karen poured her joy into the countless rescue dogs through the years. Following any family tree she could and creating yearly scrapbooks for her daughters. During the summer months Karen could be found among her flowers, tending her countless rock gardens and working until the sun went down in the yard with Lynn, but Karen loved nothing more in life than being a Grandma and YaYa.

She is preceded in death by her dad, Warren Dickson of Butte, step-father Arthur Galster of Colstrip, younger sister Jackie Dobb of Washington, brother-in-law Ken Brown of Whitehall, grandparents, Bill and Helen Wills of Butte and George and Ann Dickson of North Dakota.

Karen is survived by her husband of 35 years Lynn Palmer, daughters Alecia (Charles) McDougal of Sheridan, Kodi (Michael) Laird of Dillon, mother Rosealie Galster, sister Nancy Brown both of Whitehall, aunt Judy (Rick) Geordge of Checker Board, brother-in-law Dave Dobb of Washington, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Karen also leaves behind her treasured grandchildren; Chance, Koy, Logan and Lilith.

To honor Karen and her life, a memorial is planned for Saturday May 18th at 11 at the Flint Creek Baptist Church in Philipsburg, MT. A potluck will be held following the memorial. 

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Granite County 4 H Council.