Karen Sue Watrous passed away Thursday, May 19, 2016. Karen was born October 1, 1949 in Lawrence, Kansas to Bill B. and Avis Dew Wiley. Both preceded her in death. The first of identical twins she came into the world raring to go. Funny, vivacious, unconventional and occasionally outrageous she lived life to the fullest on her own terms. Karen loved people, loved music, a good book and above all she loved her family and friends to a fault. She spent many years in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, where her father was a professor at the University of Saskatchewan. When she was 15 her father accepted a professorship at the University of Utah and brought the family back to America, fearing they were becoming too Canadian. Always ready with a kind word, or hand up, she made friends of everyone she met. Graduated from East High School in 1968 and went on to the University of Utah where she was a charter member of Students For A Democratic Society. Married Todd Smith in 1980 and had two beautiful daughters, Megan and Melissa, who were her pride and joy, later divorced. Met her husband and best friend Jeff in 1988, they spent the next 28 years together sharing and enjoying the journey. For 35 years Karen exemplified what a great nurse should be, kind, compassionate, knowledgeable and above all professional. Retired in 2006. There are no words to express how heartbroken we are at her passing, there is a hole in the fabric of our lives that will never be mended.
Survived by husband Jeff, daughters Megan (Thad) Jones, Melissa (Brandon) Vanderpol, sister Sharon Kesler, nephew Christopher (Renatae) Kesler and grandchildren Micah, Moriah, Mackenzie, Luke, Madison, Sophia and Shanaea.
Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, May 24 at 11:00 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd. (10600 S.), Sandy. Friends and family are welcome to join a visitation which will be held one hour prior to the graveside.
….nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile….
