HEBRON – Karen Wrentzel was “a beautiful, kind soul of unique quality,” family member Joan Joy Tibbetts said Sunday.

Tibbetts and others are mourning her death in a hunting incident Saturday.

Wrentzel, 34, of 490 Greenwood Mountain Road in Hebron, was “digging around for rocks” on her land, according to her uncle, Jon Spofford, when she was shot and killed by a 38-year-old man who was hunting with his father.

The Maine Warden Service has not yet released the man’s name.

The “free spirit who loved the woods was a registered whitewater rafting guide, and wasn’t afraid of anything, her mother, Debbie Morin, said. “She loved life more than anyone I know.”

Sarah Ziehm of Lewiston said Sunday that Wrentzel was her best friend, and nature was Wrentzel’s solace.

“She always had to climb trees and couldn’t not if she was with them. She enjoyed writing poetry, but enjoyed reading more,” Ziehm said.

Wrentzel’s zest for life was infectious, and those around her couldn’t help but notice her devotion to others, and her nieces, Ziehm said, were “her pride and joy.”

“She lived her whole life chasing her passions, mountains, and feeding people good food,” Ziehm said. “She loved fearlessly with her whole heart.”

A few years ago, Wrentzel moved to Montana, driving there herself just to see what opportunities and adventures she could find. She ended up living there for a few years.

Morin said Wrentzel’s work as a cook took her all over the country, and she made lifelong friends wherever she went.

“She would do anything for anyone – just a giving, caring person,” Morin said.

Last summer, and a couple years ago, Morin said Wrentzel worked at Sheepscot General in Whitefield, and those co-workers mourn her as well.

“Karen was a lovely person, friend and co-worker,” General Manager Penny Moshier said. “We are all shocked and greatly saddened by this tragic accident. Her spirit, energy, and love will be missed by all of us here at Sheepscot General.”

The land where she was shot was gifted to her by her grandmother, Beverly Spofford, and Wrentzel planned to build a home on it. She had just moved back to Hebron from Palermo on Friday to stay with Spofford for the winter and help her, Morin said.

Normally, Morin said, Wrentzel did not have a problem with people hunting on her land, and usually took precautions in case there were hunters. But this year, she was unaware that Saturday was opening day for Maine residents.

“She always made sure to wear orange, and any kids she was with, she made them wear it too. She was very safety-conscious. But she didn’t know,” said Morin.

emarquis@sunmediagroup.net

Karen Wrentzel, 34, was killed on her land in Hebron on Saturday in a hunting incident, and will be remembered for her “earthy, free spirit” and love of nature, family member Joan Joy Tibbetts said Sunday. (Jon Spofford photo)

Karen Wrentzel, 34, of Hebron will be remembered for her kindness and passion for life, according to her family.  Wretzel was killed Saturday morning by a hunter while on her land. (Jon Spofford photo)