Karen Rue Lightfoot

Karen Widner Lightfoot lost her life’s last battle April 18, 2020 at the Jim Wood Home in Hatch, New Mexico where she had resided for the last 20 months. Her death was the culmination of an eight year struggle since suffering a cerebral aneurysm in April, 2012. This struggle changed her life dramatically but never altered her beautiful personality and ability to make everyone feel special, even strangers she had just met. Karen was born March 15, 1945 in Clovis, New Mexico. She grew up on a farm northwest of Melrose surrounded by siblings, cousins, and friends. She graduated from Melrose High School and briefly attended NMSU before living and working in several different areas of New Mexico. These areas included Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Roswell, Corona, Silver City and Animas. She held a variety of jobs wherever she lived and was never out of work. She worked hard, never complained and was always positive. She drew people to her with her warm and welcoming personality. She made lifelong friends everywhere she lived. Karen was preceded in death by her husband Wayne Lightfoot, her parents Harley and Edith Widner as well as several siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews. She is survived by what she considered the most important part of her life, her children and grandchildren; Travis and RoeAnne Lightfoot (Kassidy and Lyndi) of Corona, Tye and Julie Lightfoot (Kallan and Dani) of Las Cruces, Tomee and Michael England (J’Lee and Rylee) of Artesia. Her mother in-law Dorothy Lightfoot of Corona. Karen was one of 11 siblings and is survived by three brothers: Harley and wife Ruthie of Bloomfield, Lynell of Estancia, Jamie and wife Robin of Melrose and two sisters Susie Widner of Albuquerque and Nyla and husband Rick Walter 0f Animas. She is also survived by many extended family members who loved Aunt Karen with all their hearts and will miss her deeply especially that gruff raspy ‘Hi Honey’ you heard every time you saw her. All of her survivors are heart broken but feel extremely blessed to have had her in their lives but are grateful that she is no longer in pain or struggling to tell you something. Pallbearers: Randy Lesly, Lane Widner, Lee Widner, Russell Walter, Lance Widner, Partick Jaramillo. Honorary Pallbearers: Her 6 Grandkids, 2 Daughter-In-Laws, Son-In-Law, Brothers, Sisters, In-Laws, and nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at the Jim Wood Home for the care and love they gave Karen in the time she lived there. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted to the Widner Scholarship Foundation. Please contact American Heritage Bank of Melrose NM. PO Box 318 Melrose NM 88124. A Celebration of Life will be held at later date.