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BORN
1956
DIED
2017
FUNERAL HOME
Karen Simons Obituary
Simons
1956 ~ 2017
Karen Peterson Simons passed away unexpectedly at her home in West Valley, Utah the morning of June 18, 2017. Karen was born on May 5, 1956 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the daughter of Roy and Joan Lewis Peterson. Karen spent her lifetime gathering her indispensable store of knowledge and skill, and those she leaves behind are left to wonder how they will be able to continue without her guidance and direction.
Karen knew all about the importance of family. She was the glue that held together her wonderful family during times of stress and hardship. Karen married her high school sweetheart, Stewart Turner Simons on June 16, 1978 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they bought a home in West Valley, and there they raised their three children: Emilee Simons, Michael Kenneth Simons, and Sheena Michelle (Chris) Grau. Karen knew how influential a grandmother could be in the lives of grandchildren, so she took an active role in raising her five grandchildren: McKenna and Sullivan Simons, Jordan and Zariah Grau, and JayLynn Rolfson. Karen is also survived by her father Roy B Peterson, and her brother Cory L. Peterson. Sixteen nieces and nephews had the privilege of calling her "Aunt Karen. " Karen was preceded in death by her mother Joan, and by her father-in-law and mother-in law Dale and Joann Turner Simons.
Karen knew that helping others was the source of true happiness. She spent countless hours working in LDS church callings in the Young Women's and Relief Society organizations. But more important are the unnumbered acts of service Karen provided to those she saw in need; always ready with a hot meal, a shoulder to cry on, and an encouraging word. Karen worked as a resource teacher at Cyprus High School where she helped students facing additional challenges to achieve their full potential. And she was a surrogate grandmother to many of those same students.
Karen knew that a life well lived needed to be surrounded by beauty. She was a skilled pianist who filled her home and her family's lives with music. Karen was an exceptional quilter, and her home and the homes of her friends and family have been made beautiful by her needlework skill and her generosity.
And Karen knew that mortality was a time to prepare for bigger and better things. She worked hard to teach this truth throughout her entire life. Karen's funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at one p.m. in the Copper Hill 4th Ward Chapel on 6710 West 4145 South in West Valley. Friends may call on Friday evening at the chapel from 6 to 8 p.m., or on Saturday from noon to 12:45 pm. Burial will be in the Valley View Memorial Park in West Valley, Utah. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Pirate Pantry, a fund used to help Cyprus High students and their families in times of need. Donations can be made online at https://granitekids.charityproud.org/Donate/Index/182.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Karen Simons
Sponsored by Valley View Memorial Park.
Sheena
March 9, 2025
I haven't forgotten
Me
September 20, 2024
I miss you mom.
.
November 16, 2023
Happy holidays I'm sure they're beautiful with Grandma.
lori yates
March 7, 2023
I have so much I want to tell you. Miss our chats.
Sheena
March 6, 2023
Everything I am and strive to be I owe to my mother
You know
November 25, 2022
We missed you again for another holiday. I love you mom.
Kathie
June 15, 2022
Your memory lives on in my heart. I miss you. Loves...
Me
October 8, 2021
Thinking of you
Sheena Simons
August 22, 2020
25days until our wedding. I need you. Can't help but feel incomplete without you being there.
Sheena Simons
August 22, 2020
25 days away from my wedding. Wishing I had you.
Me
August 5, 2020
Just needing you.
Lori Yates
May 5, 2020
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FRIEND.
I will never stop missing you.
Love you,
Lori Yates
Kathie Hong
April 28, 2020
Remembering my sweet friend today...it's almost her birthday. Your friends never gather but that your name, or a story of you, doesn't come up, and make us both laugh and cry. I miss you dear friend. You were gone much to soon.
Loves, Kathie
Sheena Simons
April 27, 2020
Just thinking of you.
The Graus
January 6, 2020
Sometimes with out you even being in a room full of people I feel lonely. The effect you left on this world was as big as the galaxy. We all miss you.
Sheena Simons
June 18, 2019
Mom it's been 2 years and not one day goes by that it seems to get easier. The kids ask more and more questions and they seem to crave more and more memories with you. We miss you mom. Chris and I will never be able to thank you enough for all you your love, support, and the example you and dad have shown us. I love you mom. Rest in peace. You did your work and left such a BEAUTIFUL mark here.
Lori Yates
June 15, 2019
Karen, I will never stop missing you. Love to Em, Mike, Sheena and Stuart.
Sheena Simons
May 15, 2019
Missing you another day.. Mom you were my world and I don't think anyone understands how much you meant to me and my family. We think about you all the time. Thanks for being everything to everyone!
McKenna Simond
February 19, 2019
I miss you grandma! You were my best friend and a great grandma i don't know what life would have been like without you. I love you so much
December 21, 2018
I miss you Karen, life is not the same without you.
Lori
December 20, 2018
I miss you mom... the days only get longer and the night's darker without you.
Kathie Hong
June 19, 2018
Remembering my sweet friend, Karen, today. Her loving spirit is with me so often in so many different situations. Truly her greatest legacy is in the way she lived her life. ...miss her everyday, and think of her with much love.
Mike & Nancy Millet
June 18, 2018
Even though it has been a while since the time Karen has been gone, we still remember how sweet and caring Karen was to everyone, especially her family. She so Loved her family. That never goes away. We know she is still watching over all of you.
Beverly Cartwright/Gordon
June 28, 2017
Our paths haven't crossed since high school but she was one of the sweetest and most kind classmates I ever knew. It was a blessing to know her. May God bless this beautiful family.
Lori Yates
June 25, 2017
Words cannot express how much she will be missed. Love to you all.
Kim south
June 24, 2017
She was a good leader, neighbor and friend. When I heard she had died, I could not believe and today it is hard to accept but, I know she is in a place she is needed even though she is missed here. You are in my prayers.
Christine Romney
June 23, 2017
Karen is such an amazing lady. Keep the memories alive. Laugh, cry, don't hold it in. She wouldn't want that. We love your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Cheri Reilly
June 23, 2017
I am so shocked and sadden by this news. Karen was like a second Mom to my brother and I along with several neighborhood kids growing up. I spent many of my childhood days chatting with Karen, hanging out at their loving home and babysitting Emilee. Karen had a heart of gold. I will always be thankful for the time I spent with her and cherish all the wonderful memories.
Love,
Cheri Reilly
June 23, 2017
I am so shocked and sadden by this news. Karen was like a second Mom to my brother and I along with several neighborhood kids growing up. I spent many of my childhood days chatting with Karen, hanging out at their loving home and babysitting Emilee. Karen had a heart of gold. I will always be thankful for the time I spent with her and cherish all the wonderful memories.
Love,
Cheri Reilly
June 23, 2017
Stewart, I just found out about Karen's passing. I am so sorry for your loss. I loved reading about her amazing life! It is so sad how you have classmates that you grow so close to and then drift away. She was much too young, and I am sure your heart and many more are broken. My prayers are with you and your family.
Sharron Pollock Bawden
David Slack
June 23, 2017
I am so sorry to hear of Karen's passing. This comes as a tremendous surprise to Pam and I. It goes to show that life can be so very fragile. It does appear that Karen has lived her life in a very exemplary fashion and has been a very positive role model to her children, grandchildren and all of us who knew her. To Stuart and the rest of the family: God bless you as you move forward with your lives without Karen. May you always have many happy memories of Karen and may that serve as an inspiration to all.
Kathie Hong
June 22, 2017
My heart is broken for the loss of one of the finest ladies to ever have passed through my life. The world was better because she was in it, and she'll be so missed. I'm grateful for the wonderful memories that we made together. ...sending much love to Stuart, Emilee, Mike, and Sheena, and to the sweet grandbabies whom she adored.
Cynthia Harris
June 22, 2017
Oh Karen, I'm so sad to hear you're gone. I was still hoping we'd go to lunch. I didn't even get to see you much this year. Thank you for always making me feel welcome at Cyprus. You were always a friendly face, someone I loved talking to.. I'm so so sad. Thanks for being my friend and for all your kindness to me. I will miss you.
Sam Kojima
June 22, 2017
I remember Stewart and Karen. They saved my life, when I was there for the first time.
I mean, my first week in Utah was disaster, just like no hopes in my life, but when you brought Stewart and he spoke to me in Japanese, he was just a bright guiding light, and it was unforgettable moment of my life. And I often visit his house, and Karen was so nice to me. She was just like my elder sister. I never had that kind of feelings, but she could teach me a lot about high school days in Utah.
I am very sorry. Please say,'hi' to Stewart.
When you get older, we know that something happened on our way to heaven. When you are young, a lot of good things happen, but when you get older, the number of bad things is increasing, isn't it?
I could accept the natural order, when my father passed away. He was 84. His life was limited.
But when you hear the news like Karen, I feel that she is too young. She wishes she could have a lot of plans, and do a lot of things in her life. Only thing I can do is to keep her name in my mind, and to repay her for treating me so well.
God bless you.
Love, Isamu
Sarah Weber
June 22, 2017
My Dear Karen,
I'm so sad to hear this. I am so thankful to have known your special and kind soul. Thank you for always being so welcoming and comforting. Thank you for being a part of the Cyprus crowd who made me feel at home. You will be missed. Emilee, I am so sorry for you. ❤
Love always and always,
Sarah
Mike Wason
June 22, 2017
Karen co-taught with me for a few different years at Cyprus. She was loved by the students and was always very gentle and upbeat with them. I am shocked and saddened to read of her passing. What a great example she was. My deep condolences to her family.
Marie Beers
June 22, 2017
Our family is very sad to hear about the loss of such a wonderful person. I know words cant do mich to help in such a sad time but I want your family to know how much Karen always meant to us. I have so many memories of her growing up. Karen was a beautiful soul and we will never forget all she has done, especially for my oldest nieces. Her and your family are in our thoughts and prayers!
Gary Teran
June 21, 2017
Lisa and I are simply heartbroken to learn of Karen's passing. Our hearts and prayers are with you every minute Stewart. Will be there whenever you need us.
Please let us know what we can do to support you.
Sincerely,
Gary and Lisa Teran
Brian & Karen Nay
June 21, 2017
We are so saddened to learn of Karen's passing. Our friendship with Stu and Karen is one that could not be eroded by time or distance. Please know that our thoughts and prayers for peace in this difficult time are with your family.
Mike & Nancy Millet
June 21, 2017
Simons Family, We are so sorry to hear of Karen's passing. She will truly be missed by everyone she knew or who knew her.
we send our love and Prayers. Mike & Nancy Millet
Sheena Simons
June 21, 2017
I love you mom. You have done more for this world than you could ever know... God be with you till we meet again. We will always have you in our hearts and on our minds.❤
Fantasia Ward
June 21, 2017
Karen-I'm so sorry you're gone I'm truly going to miss you. You helped me through high school you were my aid and my friend helped me in my classes that I had trouble with I felt like I was family my thoughts and prayers are with your family Love fantasia ward Cyprus high
Deedee Castro
June 21, 2017
Karen was a great friend to me, we worked together at Cyprus. She was so kind to everyone, I just adore her. I'm so sorry to hear of her passing, my prayers are with her family.
Ben Zaharias
June 21, 2017
Karen taught me so much when I was a student teacher at Cyprus in 2013. She always asked how I was doing when I returned there to sub. Her presence there will be sorely missed. My sincerest condolences to her family.
Jenn Pluim
June 20, 2017
Karen~
I am so sorry to see you go. I will miss seeing your smiling face and your "Hey, Jenn" everyday. I wish we had made time for that chat we kept putting off. I didn't know we wouldn't have time. I wish I had hugged you. You will never know how much your strength and support meant to me.
Jenn Pluim
June 20, 2017
Karen~
I am so sorry to see you go. I will miss seeing your smiling face and your "Hey, Jenn" everyday. I wish we had made time for that chat we kept putting off. I wish I had hugged you. You will never know how much your strength and support meant to me.
Morgan Maybe
June 20, 2017
Karen meant so much to so many people. She will always hold a special place in heart. We will all mossback her so much.
Mardica Ericjson
June 20, 2017
I loved Karen so much. She was an awesome lady. Always had a smile on her face. She would do anything for anyone. She was one of the kindest most generous ladies I knew. She will be missed greatly. I know what the family is going through. Love you guys. The old neighborhood definitely won't be the same.
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Valley View Memorial Park4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, UT 84120
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