Karen Smith Stauffer was born September 5, 1961 and passed away October 23, 2015 of natural causes.
She was born to Theo Benjamin and Joyce Daniels Smith. Karen is survived by her three children; Benjamin Theo Stauffer, Rachel Nichole Stauffer, Tyler Jeffery Stauffer and her grandsons; Taben and Monroe Stauffer.
Karen is also survived by her Mother Joyce D Smith, her brother Craig Theo Smith, her nephew Jeffery Theo Wright and her niece Nichole Jean Dubbelman. Karen was preceded in death by her Father Theo Benjamin Smith, brother Steven Kirk Smith and Sister Sandra Louise Wright.
She was also aunt and "Grandma Karen" to Evan, Lucas, and Makaylee Doubleman and Chloe Wright.
Karen was first and fore most a mother. Her children and grandchildren were the focus of her life. She helped her mother Joyce raise her niece and nephew and they and their children were very dear to her heart.
Karen also has a multitude of "adopted" children as her children's friends all took her on as "Mom".
Karen attended Olympus High School.
Karen went on an LDS Humanitarian Mission to the Philippines where she worked in Southeast Asian refugee camps as a teacher helping refugees to assimilate into western culture. She admired the people she taught there and had a deep respect for the Cambodian and Vietnamese people.
After returning from the Philippines, Karen worked for 10 years with Work Activity Center (WAC) helping people dealing with Cerebral Palsy. She was so kind and understanding and loved every client she had.
While working at the WAC she met Paul Stauffer. They were marred for 12 years producing three amazing children and later divorced but remained lifelong friends.
Karen was a person of peace and love. She abhorred conflict and strived for peace and love in all situations.
She saw the good in all things and people. Everywhere she went she talked and made new friends and took people into her life, making them feel special. She had a personal mission to help people. Karen's favorite saying was "To love another person is to see the face of God" and she lived by it and at every opportunity she did all she could to help others… both people and animals.
Karen reveled in the beauty of nature. She loved to go camping and to spend time in the Utah Mountains and in Moab.
Karen was a member of the Martha Chapter #7 Order of the Eastern Star.
Karen struggled for many years with her health and the family would like to thank the Doctors and medical professionals who helped and treated her through the years.
Funeral services for Karen will be held Monday, November 2, 2015 at 2:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens , 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.), Sandy, Utah. There will be a visitation prior to the Services from 12 noon to 1:45 pm.
The family asks everyone to dress in bright happy colors….this is a celebration of a wonderful life!
