Karen Gae Arave

Karen Gae Arave, passed peacefully in her sleep on December 13, 2025, while visiting her son, Brian in Wickenburg, AZ.

Karen was born in Idaho Falls, ID, to Eugene Jay and Erma Dean (Smith) Jenson on January 16, 1942. She was the fourth child of six, sister DeAnn, brothers Monte, Ronnie, then following her, Terry and Tom.

When Karen was four, the family moved to a farm in Clark. She grew up riding her father’s team of draft horses. She attended Clark Elementary to 8th grade and Ririe High School the remaining four years.

Karen rode her horse Bally to school, especially on “Cowboy Day”. She was the Ringleader of the Ririe Rhythmettes her freshman through senior year and sang with a group called the Sextettes. She also played the violin.

She was the Jefferson County Rodeo queen at the age of 14 and 15 and the War Bonnet Rodeo queen.

After High School she moved to Arizona and worked for Porters western and tack store for three years before returning to Idaho Falls, ID. In the fall of 1963 she and Neal K Arave were wed. She was employed by Sears until her second child. Neal and Karen were proud parents of three children, Brian J, Daryl K and their daughter Toni Jo.

In the fall of 1967 they purchased a run down farm on Township and built the first indoor riding arena in Southeast Idaho. They both trained horses, put on clinics and mentored many youth and adults at this facility.

In 1986 they moved their training business to a warmer climate, Hemet, CA and lived there until 2021. Neal and Karen had wanted to live in Arizona for years and made that happen in Whittman AZ. Neal passed December that same year.

Karen was the epitome of a cowgirl and even a horseman. She was kind, patient, giving, humble and had a great sense of humor.

She is survived by her son Brian J Arave, daughter Toni Jo Arave, granddaughter Fallon Taylor Arave, grandsons Will Joseph Arave, Kaden James Arave, daughter-in-law, Sandy Arave and Trish Arave. She is preceded in death by husband Neal K Arave and son Daryl K Arave.