Karen Baldwin Hall Reese, 82, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2024. She spent her final days surrounded by her family receiving company, love and abundant blessings.

Karen was born on a cold winter day, February 24, 1942, at the home of her grandparents in the small town of Wellsville, Utah, to Grant Hill Hall and Coy Albretson Baldwin Hall. She was the oldest of five children.

She went to school the first 6 years with the same seven girls and 18 boys, and graduated in the top 10 from South Cache High School in Hyrum, Utah in 1960.

She married and was sealed for time and all eternity to the love of her life, Ronald P. Reese in the Logan, Utah Temple on December 27, 1961. Together they raised 4 sons upon which they instilled their integrity, brilliance and hard work ethic.

She graduated with honors from Idaho State University in 1980 with a degree in Elementary and Gifted and Talented Students Education. She spent 24 years doing what she loved, teaching second and fourth grades, as well as Gifted and Talented Program classes at Ridgecrest Elementary School in Blackfoot School District.

She was a skilled crafter, enjoying embroidery, crochet, sewing, quilting, scrapbooking, and the like. She sewed many of her own, and her boys' clothing, embroidered special Christmas stockings for each of her children and grandchildren, and crocheted a special afghan each time a new baby was brought into the family.

She instilled upon her family a great love for good food. Sunday dinners were her specialty.

She will forever be remembered for her sweet bread rolls, her green Jello squares, and her infamous homemade "Grammy Jam".

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers-in-law. She is survived by her sweet and devoted husband of 62 1/2 years, Ronald P. Reese; 4 sons; Ronald Craig Reese (Diana) Blackfoot; Robert Scott Reese (Cindy) Blackfoot; Richard Douglas Reese (Rebecca) Johnstown, Colorado; and Rodger Todd Reese (Kimberly) Weiser, Idaho; friend Keith "DQQKY" Atkins, Washington DC; 1 brother, 3 sisters, 1 sister-in-law, and 1 brother-in-law, 16 grandchildren and spouses, 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

A special Thank You to Dr. Lance Wehrle and staff, the doctors, nurses, CNAs, housekeeping, as well as the nutrition services and the administration team from Bingham Healthcare for their loving and tender care during her final days on earth.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at Hawker Funeral Home 132 S. Shilling Ave in Blackfoot, Idaho at 11 a.m. with a viewing an hour prior starting at 10 a.m. There will be a viewing held the evening prior at the funeral home from 6-8 p.m. Interment will be held at the Grove City Cemetery.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Post Register on Jun. 25, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Karen Reese

Sponsored by Hawker Funeral Home - Blackfoot.

14 Entries

Renn Rock

June 6, 2025

Hi to a beautiful lady! We miss you and will see you soon in Heaven with Marlene. Who passed away like you at about 82yofage. Do you get to see her? I know you both are in Heaven. Ron is doing okay and I am so glad I got to be with him at his school . He always was so helpful and kind -- He was a great principal and fellow servant of our Heavenly father and church leaders. I am old 90 now and will see you soon. I see your son regularly He is a great help to leonard my 2nd son and I. He keepsus going in life y fixing things that needs to be done--- see you soon. My brother twin save marlene and I when I was driving to see leonard in boise he yelled Renn you are about to hit a big semi-truck and I woke up and jerked the steering wheel and just missed the truck. Marlene was asleep and did not know at that moment that our lives was saved. I now have Leonard home with me helping me. We miss you! But will see you soon. Love you Marlene and Renn Rock. I am doing this as I was not aware you had passed and saw your name. I will see you and Marlene soon!! Thanks for all you have done for us. I am also grateful for your family.

Nila Elias

July 3, 2024

We were so grateful the service was broadcasted. It was wonderful to see the beautiful tribute to her life and feel such a kinship. She was a wonderful lady and a great example of a daughter of faith. Prayers and hugs for Uncle Ronald and all my cousins. We tried to make it up but with my dad and mom’s health and only a week notice, I just couldn’t quite do it. Know we all love you and you always have a place to stay if you ever want a respite from the snow.

Sharon Case

July 3, 2024

I have always enjoyed the wonderful smile and cheerful attitude of Karen. She was a wonderful teacher who loved her students and always had their best interest at heart. Her skills as a G/T teacher inspired her students to do their best. Dr. David Case

Gayle Bang

July 2, 2024

My dear friend I will miss you and know you have gone to better place. Love you so much .Ron please take care You were such a good husband and caretaker of Karen. My very best to you ❤ in your time of grieve. Love, Gayle Bang

LaRain Glenn

July 1, 2024

She was one beautiful lady and a very talented teacher loved her
Smile .: Great ladies do great thing"

Andrew Hansen

July 1, 2024

To a very amazing lady a good friend and a great family I'm going to miss your mother very much I love all you guys take care of yourselves and may God walk over all of you love you all Andy

Jill {Williams} Tillotson

July 1, 2024

I remember Mrs. Reese so fondly. She was so sweet, soft spoken and a pleasure to talk to. Mr. Reese was my most favorite principal. I don't remember Mrs. Reese as a teacher but as the secretary for the principal , her husband. I remember as a kid walking home from school and I walked by there house everyday. If either one was outside I would always stop and chat. She will be dearly missed by all that knew her kind soul. My condolences to the family.

Janelle Byrd

Planted Trees

Ralph Mortensen

June 27, 2024

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.. you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love to all.

Renn Rock

June 26, 2024

I am so sorry you had to leave us so soon but it is an opportunity to say hi to Marlene for me Karen. You and Ron and family have been very special to us we love you all. I hope this will be a special time for you to gather with families. I have Leonard one of my sons to help me. We will see you in heaven soon! I really miss Marlene and Kandi family renamed Ariel a 3year old to be Marlene Ariel Banbury. She will go to school using the name Marlene because they loved Ma
rlene so much and you are the same way in your family. Love you all! See you soon!
Love Renn and Marlene Rock and family!

Megan Griggs (Schofield)

June 25, 2024

I have grown now and decades have passed since 4th grade. I remember the tootsie rolls and my favorite hour when it was time to play the recorder. I have since pursued music in many avenues performing and teaching. However, I will never forget how to play a mean version of "Hot Cross Buns." Thank you for the gifts you gave through being such a wonderful teacher.

KRYSTAL PUENTE

June 25, 2024

In life you will get that one teacher, the one teacher that you will forever remember their knowledge and care for their students. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to be your student. 40 years and I will still always remember you. I enjoyed seeing you every time we ran into each other. Karen, you marked my heart in so many ways I'll never forget you. Fly high beautiful and till we meet again.

Colleen Blumenshine

June 25, 2024

You all are in our thoughts and prayers!

Kathy Lawhon

June 25, 2024

Dear Mr. Ronald Reese,
I just want to say how sorry I am to hear of the passing of your beautiful wife, Karen. She has always been the sweetest person and she always made me feel like the most important person while visiting with her. She was a great listener.
I will always remember seeing the beautiful photo of her on your desk. Your sweet romance always reminded me of my own parents story. Please take comfort in knowing that you and your boys and their families are in my heart, thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,
Kathy Long Lawhon

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