Karen Sue Hale, dancer, singer, gardener, nature lover, paralegal, wife, and mother, calmly passed away after a battle with cancer in the early hours of Tuesday morning. She was 59.
Karen was born in Decatur, IL on June 5, 1951. The youngest of 4 and the only daughter, much of Karen’s childhood was spent with her 45 cousins on the family farm in Clay City and moving to follow her father’s employment as a welder and farmer. At the age of 3 Karen’s hero and mother, Florence Frank, dedicated her wages at Motorola to support her daughter’s love of dance thereby launching Karen’s life-long journey as a world-class entertainer.
Landing in Phoenix, AZ at the age of 9, Karen continued to dance and earned high academic accolades. Karen also competed in pageants, leading to a brush with fame as 2nd runner up to Linda Carter (better known to some as “Wonder Woman”), in the Miss Arizona pageant. Upon graduating from Coronado High School, she faced a choice between modeling in New York City and dancing the big shows of Las Vegas. So, at the tender age of 18, with an introductory lecture from the local sheriff about staying out of trouble, Karen followed her love and applied for her permit to dance in Vegas. She became a regular dancer for The Dunes under the direction of groundbreaking choreographer, Frederic Apcar, gracing “Welcome to Las Vegas” billboards, and flying all over the world to perform in award-winning revues. Karen even held a demanding position as Peggy Lee's tireless personal assistant.
In her late 20s, Karen moved to Ketchum, Idaho for work and to follow a sweetheart, trading in her dance shoes for an acting/singing role in a live variety show called, The Whoop Show. Lauded as a multi-talented performer, a locally-famous, 4-woman singing group called The Vuarnettes, sought-out Karen to audition. Always punctual, Karen arrived early to find the back-up band’s handsome guitarist and keyboardist, Paul Hale, setting-up. With time to chat before everyone arrived, they formed a bond that would last the rest of their lives. After the audition, Karen became The Vuarnettes’ own Lola Motorola (a stage name chosen to honor her mom), in which she donned flaming-red hair and lips, a wild wardrobe, and a sassy, comedic wit. With Karen as one of the longest standing members, The Fabulous Vuarnettes, performed for the après-ski crowds in Sun Valley and Ketchum, and also throughout the Pacific Northwest and for private parties around the world. As kismet would have it, in 1986 Karen married Paul in a glass cathedral in Palos Verdes, CA. She had found the love of her life and took on a new role as the greatest step mom of all time to Paul’s daughter and son. With a zest for life and as happy as could-be, Karen and Paul lived, preformed, and camped in and around Ketchum until 1999. That year they moved to Mesquite, NV where Karen established a ballet school in less than the two years that she lived there.
In 2000, Karen moved with Paul to Moline, IL and later Bettendorf, IA and began singing for several bands in the area including Top Five, The Dixiecats, Doc Hathaway, and Just Friends. Featured as “The Singer in the Red Barn” in the Quad City Times, her rich and dusky voice continues to lift and inspire in recordings shared all over the country.
Karen, the lover of a good soak in a hot spring, animals, a fine glass of Cabernet, and camping in the wild landscapes of the west, possessed the ability to light up a room. She taught her friends and family to love life and let the small stuff go. She was instantly familiar and will be eternally loved.
She is survived by her husband, Paul Hale, children, Erinn and Nathan Hale, brother, Donald Frank, and numerous extended family members and friends. She is also survived by her beloved family dog, Carie.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Quad City Animal Welfare Center (qcawc.org, 724 W 2nd Ave, Milan, IL 61264). A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 19th starting at Noon, at the family’s home at 3205 Candlewick, Dr. in Bettendorf where everyone will be encouraged to laugh, dance, sing, and love. Should you wish to bring something, contact Erinn: erinn@erinnjhale.com, 563-355-1184.
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