Life-long San Juan Bautista community member Karen Jo Cullumber Freels passed away Friday, May 8, 2026 at her home. She was a fourth-generation San Juan girl and daughter of Joseph and Gladys Cullumber (Garratt) with deep family roots as a direct descendant of the Breen, Flint, Cullumber and Garratt families who created much of the foundation of what is now San Juan Bautista. During her youth Karen spent summers picking apricots in the San Juan canyon and participating in local Fiesta Rodeo activities along with her younger brother Denis Cullumber (Elizabeth).
Following high school graduation Karen moved to San Francisco to pursue a nursing career. She soon married and devotedly raised her children Scott Freels (Shawna) and Shawn Freels. She worked at the well-known La Casa Rosa restaurant in San Juan Bautista in the 1970’s. Karen later worked for Santa Clara County Office of Education supporting children with special needs. There she met Shelly who she adopted shortly thereafter.
She was blessed with two grandchildren Zachary and Zoie Pacheco, and two great-grandchildren Cayden and Aurora “Rose bud”.
A traditional Irish wake celebration will be held at the Leslie L Garratt VFW Post 6359 in San Juan Bautista on June 14, 2026 at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to Kinship Seneca to support foster care, adoption and mental health services for the youth of San Benito County (https://mtyc.co/i82iag)