Karen Barbara Atkinson Cook

Karen Barbara Atkinson Cook passed away on March 2nd, 2022, at her home surrounded by family. Karen was born September 5th, 1950, to Elvin and Tena Atkinson.

As a child, Karen enjoyed helping out at the family business, Bell-Vu Nursery, and taking care of her six siblings. Karen graduated from Jordan High School and enjoyed many extracurricular activities including Pep Club, the Charloneons, Girl’s State, and the Mask and Gavel Club.

Karen and William Richard Cook Jr. were married and sealed in the Manti Temple on March 17th, 1971, and celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2021. They were blessed with three daughters and one son.

In 1975, Karen was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and in 1982 gave birth to a son with Down Syndrome. Despite these challenges Karen lived life to the fullest: she loved to ski, earned her Associate degree from Salt Lake Community College in Ethnic Minority Human Resources, loved traveling (especially to Disneyland), was a member of the University of Utah Delta Chi chapter sorority, and above all she was a phenomenal wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend. Everyone that met Karen was surrounded by her optimistic and “can do'' attitude. She would often say there wasn’t a right way or wrong way of doing things, there was just a way.

She is survived by her husband Bill, sisters, daughters Katena (John) McNeill, Kalena (Kent) Dean, and Karena (Michael) Kruger, 8 grandsons, and 4 granddaughters. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers, and son Willie.

A viewing will be held Sunday, March 13th, 2022, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.) in Sandy from 6-8 pm.
Funeral Services will be Monday, March 14th, 2022, at the Hillcrest Stake Center 1000 East 8485 South in Sandy. A short viewing will be held prior to services beginning at 9:30 at the stake center. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00 with the interment to follow at Mountain View Memorial Estates, 3115 East Bengal Blvd in Cottonwood Heights.