Karen Marie (Hoffman) Gonzales

Karen Gonzales passed peacefully from this life on October 3, 2021with her devoted husband, Henry, son Randy and daughter-in-law Dina at her side. She was 74 years old. Services were held at Saint Anthony’s Church in Sacramento followed by a reception at the Elks Lodge nearby. Eleven years ago Karen was diagnosed with a rare type of Parkinson’s, Lewy Body Dementia.

Karen was born in Weed California on April 22, 1947, to Albina and Gerald Hoffman who resided in Mt. Shasta, CA. At that time there was no hospital in Mt. Shasta. She was the oldest of three girls. Karen’s paternal grandparents, Lona and Charles Hoffman were early residents in Siskiyou County, being credited with building the first sawmill in the County.

She attended Mt. Shasta schools and graduated from Mt. Shasta High School class of ‘65. (Go Bears!) Karen loved school and took part in school activities as a cheerleader, a majorette and played trumpet in the school band. After high school she attended College Of The Siskiyous in Weed, CA and worked for a local legal office in Mt. Shasta.

She married Joe Henry Gonzales from Weed, CA on September 7, 1967. They had a son, Randy. After Randy was born they moved to Sacramento, CA. Karen kept busy as a housewife for several years then worked for the State for 25 years with the Legislative Counsel Bureau as a Legal Assistant.

Karen was such a positive spirit with a beautiful smile. Her family and friends have such fond memories of her love for life and family, and her incredible smile and infectious laugh. Karen and Henry enjoyed Hawaii and the friends they often traveled with for a getaway. She always had a well-loved dog at her side. There was Thanksgiving in Vallejo with 50-75 of the Gonzales clan. Then Christmas time was for homemade tamales. Her true skill was in shopping. She was always looking for things to buy for her nieces and nephews.

Karen is survived by her husband Henry, son Randy and daughter-in-law Dina, all living in the Sacramento area, and her two sisters, Geri Hoffman Newlun and Gayle Hoffman Schwarzenberg as well as brother-in-law Bill Newlun and niece Heather Schwarzenberg who live in Mt. Shasta and her many Gonzales nieces and nephews spread across the west coast.

We believe she is once again smiling and laughing as she walks along with Jesus.