Our matriarch, Karen Haight Huntsman, passed away at her home on June 1, 2026, at the age of 88. She is undoubtedly enjoying a beautiful reunion with her beloved husband Jon, beautiful daughter Kathleen, and loving parents.
Karen and Jon’s partnership and shared vision helped shape a legacy that continues to bring hope, healing, and opportunity to countless people across the globe.
Early Years
Karen Christena Haight was born on March 24, 1938, in San Diego, California, to David Bruce Haight and Ruby Mildred Olson, and raised with her brothers Bruce (deceased) and Robert. As the daughter of the mayor of Palo Alto, California, and a “precious” woman, Karen displayed a spirited determination and creativity that would define her life. Jon Meade Huntsman first fell in love with Karen, the ward pianist, after watching her play. Soon after high school at Palo Alto High, they began a remarkable partnership that would span more than six decades. She later attended the University of Utah, where she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority and formed many cherished friendships.
Jon proposed to Karen using money he won during a poker game to buy her a diamond. They were married in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 20th, 1959. Following Jon’s military service in the Navy from 1959 to 1961, they established their first home in Studio City, California, where they began what would become a highly successful business career.
Throughout Jon’s business ventures, Karen was an active contributor and collaborated with him on decisions both large and small. When Jon was working on packaging, Karen even took it upon herself to create her own R&D department by running new products through her dishwasher. Karen always made sure her opinion was heard.
In 1970, the family relocated to Bethesda, Maryland, where Jon served in the White House as Associate Administrator of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), and later as Special Assistant and Staff Secretary to President Nixon. In 1973, after their time in Washington, they settled permanently in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Eternal Faith
A woman of stalwart faith, Karen was very proud of her membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She remained very close to her father, an apostle in the church, throughout her life. In 1980, she served the important role of supporting Jon as he was called to serve as mission president for three years in the Washington D.C. mission. She served in many ward callings as the family lived throughout the country. She embodied the core principles of the gospel and sought to make sure that everyone she interacted with felt love, warmth, and acceptance from her. While she was always steadfast in her testimony of the church, she cultivated many friendships with those from other faiths, beliefs, and cultures and treasured learning from them.
Legacy of Service
Over the next five decades, Karen and Jon became deeply engaged in civic, educational, medical, and philanthropic causes throughout Utah and beyond. While devoted to raising their nine children, Karen also dedicated herself to public service. She served on numerous corporate and community boards, including the Utah Board of Regents, where she contributed to the advancement of higher education.
Among her most enduring contributions was her role in helping establish the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. Karen was a fierce advocate for ensuring that compassionate patient care remained central to its mission. She was intimately involved in design decisions, the patient experience and all aspects of providing those receiving treatment with dignity and respect. She curated a remarkable collection of art and artifacts, much of it donated from her personal collection, as a gift to the patients, staff, and healthcare providers at the hospital. Her commitment to the well-being of patients and families helped shape an institution that has become a world-renowned center for cancer research and treatment. When Karen was battling ovarian cancer (twice), she was overwhelmed to be surrounded by the beautiful art she chose and receive the extraordinary care that she and Jon had always envisioned.
After Jon’s death in 2018, Karen continued her charitable work and shepherded the Huntsman Family Foundation in tackling another daunting societal challenge: mental health. With an historic gift of $150 million, she and her children helped create the Huntsman Mental Health Institute at the University of Utah as well as the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation. Opened in 2025, the Kem & Carolyn Gardner Crisis Care Center, the first of its kind, is just another example of how Karen sweated the details to make the building a success. She cared deeply about the design, taking care of the patients and creating a warm, welcoming, and healing environment.
Family First
Despite her many civic and philanthropic accomplishments, Karen’s greatest devotion was always to her family. Being a mother of nine children was a joy to her. Karen loved each of her children and celebrated their individual talents and passions. She found particular joy in her youngest son, Mark, who suffered brain damage at birth. Mark’s life and influence brought immeasurable meaning to her own.
Her home was a place of gathering, learning, laughter, and love. She delighted in teaching her children and grandchildren to cook, bake bread, and embrace life's simple traditions (including wall sits and Turkish get-ups). She enjoyed sharing wisdom around the kitchen table, a healthy recipe recommendation, and creating meaningful family experiences. She cultivated a home where every individual felt valued and loved.
Remarkable Strength
Karen’s life was not without profound challenges. She endured the kidnapping of a son, the heartbreaking loss of a daughter, the responsibilities of caring for a child with special needs, and the uncertainties that often accompany entrepreneurial life. Despite these obstacles, she faced each trial with grace, resilience, and unwavering faith. She taught her family that adversity, though painful, can become a source of strength, compassion, and spiritual growth. Her faith was big enough that she didn’t doubt.
Lasting Legacy
Karen will be remembered for her generosity, wisdom, determination, and deep commitment to family, faith, and service. Her influence is reflected not only in the institutions she helped build and the causes she supported, but also in the lives she encouraged through “straight-talk”, encouragement, and enduring love.
Karen is survived by Jon Jr (Mary Kay Cooper), Peter (Brynn Ballard), Christena (Rick Durham), Kathleen (deceased), David (Michelle Rawlings), Paul (Cheryl Wirthlin), James (Marianne Miller), Jennifer (Dave Parkin), and Mark. Her legacy also lives on through her 56 grandchildren and 76 great grandchildren whom she personally prayed for by name every night.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, June 12, at the Monument Park Stake Center (1320 S Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah).
Family and friends are invited to attend visitations at the Stake Center on Thursday evening, June 11, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, and again on Friday morning from 9:45 to 11:15 am prior to the service.