Deborah Jean Karlson

OBITUARY FOR DEBORAH J. KARLSON 

Deborah (Debbie) Jean Karlson, 66, died peacefully in Tri-City Medical Center, Vista, California on December 30, 2024, with her youngest sister Kristi by her side.

Debbie was born August 31, 1958 in San Diego, California to Donald and Kathleen (Carey) Karlson, the fourth of nine children. She was a double Irish twin, sandwiched between her barely older brother Guy and her younger sister Kathy. Debbie and Kathy were inseparable throughout childhood and continued so throughout life. 

Despite her diminutive size, which earned her the nickname “Little Bee,” Debbie excelled at sports, especially softball and gymnastics. She was the leader of her pack in high school, both at Rosary High, where she was chosen as the Angel of the cheerleading squad, and at Monte Vista which she attended for one year. Each day throughout her freshman year at Rosary, she rode to school behind her older sister Annie on a tandem bicycle (in their parochial school uniforms, no less!) eight miles through downtown San Diego because their father thought Annie, the family bookworm, needed more exercise. Annie, a senior that year, was mortified; Debbie lolled on the back seat and didn’t seem to mind the quizzical stares in the least. 

Much of Debbie’s social life centered around St. John of the Cross’ CYO (Catholic Youth Organization), in which she was the ringleader for many adventures and pushing-the-edge escapades. Once Debbie had her driving license, summers were spent with her sister Kathy and their gang (Mary D., Carol S., Karen R., and the Siscon sisters) at Ocean Beach, with evening forays to Mission Beach for grunion runs.

Debbie was also fun-loving and generous at home. Even though just three years older, Deb had “adopted” Lori as her special charge at an early age, while Kathy “adopted” Janet, the sister who followed immediately after, creating cherished memories for this next set of Irish twins. Debbie was one of the main organizers for the numerous birthday parties and holiday celebrations of her large family. Janet especially remembers the over-the-top carnival-themed party that Deb masterminded for Janet’s eighth birthday.

After high school Debbie spent some time working at a Mammoth Mountain ski lodge, then returned home with a broken leg to await Kathy’s high school graduation, after which the daring duo immediately encamped on a cross-country trip to Florida (from which they were escorted home via Greyhound Bus by their horrified mother). 

At age 20 Debbie was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Her mom and dad were her biggest supporters, and she lived at different times with her brother Guy and her sister Lori. Despite challenges Debbie faced, she held down a job at Payless Shoes for several years, amassing her own cherished collection of shoes. She met and married her husband, Juan Hurtado in Mexico. She had a real talent for sewing of all kinds, including needlepoint and quilting, and created treasured gifts and keepsakes for all the family. Her nieces Terese and Allie remember all the times she showed them how to make unique crafts and special decorations; they looked forward every Christmas to what Aunt Deb was going to help them create that year. 

Debbie was smart, strong, stubborn, resilient, incredibly independent and resourceful, and had a wicked sense of humor. Her caring heart, her wit, and her bright, indomitable spirit shone through the darkness of her illness and are what she will be remembered for. 

She is survived by Juan Hurtado and by six siblings, Annie Karlson of Silverton, Oregon; Guy Karlson, Kathy Karlson, and Lori Davidson residing in and around Spring Valley, California; Janet Haremza of Garberville, California; and Kristine Fenick of La Mesa, California. She is also lovingly remembered by her many nieces and nephews: Korynn, Ashley, Terese, Allison, Rudy, Haley, Michelle, Vanessa, Joey, Emily, and Zoe. Debbie was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother Michael and sister Mary. Her surviving family is grateful that our “Little Bee” is free at last and can now rest in peace . . . or create a ruckus up in heaven–whichever she is minded to do!

A Celebration of Life is planned for Debbie on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at the Lindo Lake Boathouse in Lakeside from 11 am to 1 pm.