Karen Simons

Karen Peterson Simons

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 4 ^th 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 .