Karen Larsen

Karen Elaine Larsen was born in Provo, Utah, on September 29, 1944. She was greeted by her loving parents, Elladene Doty and Joseph Franklin Walters Jr, in their two-story home on 312 North 8th West in Orem. Four of her older siblings (Bertha, Byron, Doris, and Lewis) anxiously greeted their baby sister. Karen's three older brothers (Joe, Neldon, and Lamar) were young adults who were experiencing the adventures of becoming men by working and living on their own. She enjoyed many childhood memories with her family. And loved each of her siblings and her parents with all her heart.

She attended Elementary school, Lincoln Junior High, and Orem High School. While attending High School, she met the love of her life, Donald Reid Larsen. He swept her off her feet and made her heart race faster than a speeding car going down State Street. Don won the approval, respect, and love of her parents. They had a long courtship and were engaged during her senior year. They were permitted to get married after she graduated from High School. They were married on June 22, 1962.

They made their first home in Utah, where Don was working at Hercules Power Company in Magna. On March 24, 1963, they became the parents of their first son, Donald Mark Larsen. Karen and Don then moved to Fullerton, California, in August 1964. They enjoyed their time in California but were eager to go home to Utah. In October 1967, they moved to Bountiful, Utah, where Don worked for EIMCO. Karen began her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse, like her mother. On November 22, 1968, they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. On March 16, 1970, they welcomed their second son, Matthew Lynn Larsen.

In August 1976, they moved to American Fork, Utah. They made and shared many great times and adventures. She became a widow at the age of 54. She was heartbroken after losing her eternal companion. After her husband's death, she moved to Pleasant Grove for a short time. Then she moved to Lindon, where she lived for twenty-two years. She loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother to her family. This was joy in her life, and the moments that she cherished the most. Her second joy in her life was her career as a nurse. She has worked in numerous facilities for over two decades. She loved helping people. Her favorite part was working with mothers and their newborns. In her later years, she worked as a housekeeper at different assisted living centers.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had served in various church callings. She loved her service in the Timpanogos Temple, as well as serving an LDS mission to Atlanta Georgia, and later transferring to the Family History Center at Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

Last year in March, she fell and fractured her hip. Due to complications from that, she spent time in the hospital, rehab, and couldn't continue to live on her own. This was a difficult task for her to give up her independence. It was hard at first for her to adjust to living in assisted living. Karen accepted the challenges she had faced. She showed courage to thrive, to do her best, to serve, and to make friends with those who lived in the assisted living facility. Karen had faced new health problems this last year, being diagnosed with cancer and dementia. She was courageous. She smiled, always trying to help others, and was very grateful for her family and friends. She had waited a long time to be with her eternal partner and was anxious to be with him once more.

Karen passed away peacefully on August 27, 2025. She is survived by her two sons and their spouses, five grandchildren, and one great-grandson. Donald Mark (Janette) Larsen, Granddaughters, Daniella Joy Larsen, and Samantha Rose Larsen. Matthew Lynn (Charlotte) Larsen, Granddaughter Caylee (Hayden) Eichler, Granddaughter Tristen Larsen (Trevor Ucker), Grandson Matthew Chance Larsen, Great-grandson Tate Oliver Eichler. She was preceded in death by her husband Donald, her parents and her siblings.

Karen wanted to express thanks and love to her special friends, Wayne Mitchell & Shari Thurlow, for the many years of their service to her. She also wanted to thank Summerfield Assisted Living staff and residents for making her feel welcomed, loved and accepted for the last six months.