Karen Louise Jensen Maxwell

Karen Louise Jensen Maxwell, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and grandmother passed peacefully away Wednesday, succumbing to complications related to Parkinson’s disease, with which she had struggled for more than fifteen years.

Born on the 18th of May, 1936, in Salt Lake City, Utah, she passed away on the 9th of June, 2021, in St. George, Utah, surrounded by her devoted husband and children. She was preceded in death by her mother, Myrtle Fenton Jensen, her father Nephi Jensen, her sister Darlene Snow, her brother Thomas F. Jensen, and two infant siblings, Jack and Joyce Jensen who passed before Karen was born.

She is survived by her husband, Paul J. Maxwell, five children: Paul (Barbara) Maxwell, Cara Maxwell, Bruce (Sheri) Maxwell, Mark (Jenny) Maxwell, and Annie (Bruce) Dearden, as well as 16 cherished grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

Karen and Paul met as sophomores at East High School in 1952 and were married in the Salt Lake Temple on the 17th of February, 1956. Karen later attended the University of Utah studying Botany and Spanish.

Sister Maxwell joyfully served in a variety of callings for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved working in the Young Women organization in the Rosecrest 2nd Ward and Monument Park 1st and 16th Wards, volunteered as a Temple Square North Visitor Center hostess. She served as an ordinance worker at the Salt Lake Temple, and as a full-time missionary with her sweet companion, Elder Maxwell, at the Washington, D.C. Temple Visitor Center. She also served as a Homemaking Counselor in the Presidency of the Emigration Stake Relief Society and as a Relief Society President in the St. James Ward in St. George, Utah.

Throughout her life, Karen blessed those around her with her many talents and gifts. Early in life, she loved to dance, play the piano, and read books. She loved making bread from honey and freshly ground wheat, making candies like divinity, caramels, taffy, English toffee, and peanut brittle. She expressed her creativity through sewing, knitting, crocheting, lacemaking, embroidery, quilting, and ceramics. She loved to share her beautiful creations and she was so happy to give something to everyone she met and loved.

Karen's family would like to thank the wonderful members of the St. James Ward who have visited her for years while she was confined in her home. They provided her with such comfort and love through administration of the sacrament, ministering visits, and delicious meals. The family extends a special thank-you to Bernadette Mcclafferty, a remarkable caregiver, who lovingly assisted Karen’s peaceful transition from this life.

There will be a viewing on Thursday, the 17th of June, 2021, 10:30-11:45 a.m. followed by a funeral service at noon in the St. James Ward Chapel (1095 East St. James Lane, St. George, Utah). A graveside service will be held the following day, Friday, the 18th of June, 2021 at noon, at the Salt Lake City Cemetery (near the northeast corner, just below 11th Avenue).

For those who wish to view the recorded funeral services, you may do so here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/mOUEn7bAJ0_eDYH4duWsXvMhbnH5TanO2ssYrq6BdZwSQC3zkU53V8IvNzZq0Snzh4GTTRjMh17rVUzO.UUVe0jvSjSVOxT_B?autoplay=true&startTime=1623951400000

Those who wish to view the recorded graveside services, may do so here: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/WgCVzE6EWow3NC9wEV7QPgC5wB_mXwlRMas8ixppVfdjEDLlMUJZwRmAYYIAamp0.LjS0xqL134tQUDw7

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