Karen Elaine Thomas, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend returned home to her Heavenly parents Sept. 4, 2021.
Karen was born Nov. 30, 1944 to Don Carlos Coffey and Catherine Louise Genter in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Her family moved to the family farm near Upton, Kentucky. After graduating from High School at the age of 17, she studied nursing at Kentucky’s first nursing school, Norton Memorial Infirmary, in Louisville, Kentucky, where she became a registered nurse.
Karen met the love of her life, John M. Thomas, at Fort Knox, Kentucky while he was serving in the military. Karen and John were married Sept. 14, 1965 in the Salt Lake Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Karen worked as a registered nurse in the states of Nevada, Alaska, Arizona, and Utah. Karen spent the last 20 years of her career at Sanpete Valley Hospital in Mt. Pleasant, where she retired as Director of Nursing in 1998.
Karen joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1962, along with her family. She was a faithful and dedicated member of the church and served in many callings including Gospel Doctrine teacher, Relief Society President, Young Women’s leader, and Primary teacher. Karen had a sweet and firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, of eternal life, and eternal families.
Her greatest joy in this life was her family. She and her husband, John, raised four boys. Karen looked forward to visiting family and she especially loved to hangout with her grandkids. She loved to tease, joke, tell stories, watch movies, and make memories with them baking.
Karen was blessed with many talents that she used to bless the lives of others. She was an extraordinary seamstress, sewing many blankets and dresses for her grandkids, and was known for her cooking and baking skills. Karen loved life: she loved traveling, camping, fishing, and walks on the beach. She was adventurous and loved to learn and try new things such as cross-country skiing and flying in Alaska, making Prickly Pear jam in Arizona, and teaching emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Utah.
She made anyone who visited her home feel instantly welcomed and loved, not just by the home baked goods and meals she had ready for them, but by the kindness she shared and the genuine concern she showed. Karen was a blessing to all that knew her.
Karen was preceded in death by Wendy Janine Thomas (daughter), Don Carlos Coffey (father), Catherine Louise Genter (mother), Catherine Elizabeth Marrin (sister), and Don Carlos Coffey Jr. (brother).
Karen is survived by her husband, John M. Thomas, sons: Michael Lynn Thomas (daughter-in-law, Kristin), John Gregory Thomas (daughter-in-law, Sheila), Christopher Brian Thomas (daughter-in-law, Karen), Matthew Quentin Thomas (daughter-in-law, Danette), David Anthony Coffey (brother) and Deborah Anne Fore (sister), along with 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Thanks for the outstanding care and service provided to Karen by the Intermountain Hospice team.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Sept. 10, 2021 at 1 p.m. in the Cedar Creek Ward in Spring City, (7655 E. 15000 North). Viewings will be held Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021 from 6-8 p.m. and Friday from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. prior to services both at the church. Interment in the Spring City Cemetery.
