Karen Sue Burke passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in Sandy Utah at age 79.
She was born in Price Utah on October 8, 1942, to her parents Richard and Ethel Williams. She grew up with 7 siblings. The family later moved to Salt Lake City where she graduated from West High School June 2, 1960.
She met her soulmate, best friend and love of her life, Leonard A. Burke II at a dance and were married on October 7, 1961. They were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple on May 31, 1977. Together they raised one son and one daughter.
Karen was a ray of sunshine when she walked into a room. She will always be remembered for her kindness, generosity and the loving, nurturing way she treated all who knew her.
Karen provided service to other’s selflessly and served in many church callings. She was an inspiration to many young adults during her calling at President of the Young Women’s. She was a light in the darkness, led by example, was looked up to and provided counsel and support for anyone who sought her guidance.
She worked for a variety of companies – from Snelgrove’s, ZCMI’s, Cummins, Great Basin, and Salt Lake Regional Medical Center. She was a valued employee and team member. She made life-long friends at each of these places as she treated her co-workers like they were her best friends. She had many fond memories at each of these places.
She is survived by her children Lenny and Cindy; grandchildren Lisa, Allison, Colin, and Chris; siblings Steve and Joe. Preceded in death by her parents and siblings Belva, Jean, Dixie, Richard, and Kay.
There will be a visitation on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, from 6-8 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. 10600 S. Sandy, UT. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 W. 4100 S. West Valley City, UT.
For those who wish to watch the recorded service online, you may do so with the following link:
Condolences to you and loved ones🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Our thoughts and prayers are with you always she had to be the sweetest lady ever born
Aunt Karen has a gentle kind soul. I do not think there was one time I had ever seen her without a smile on her face. After my mom passed away she kept in contact with me for a couple of years. The last time we spoke she told me she was ill, but she was more concerned about me and my family to talk to me about it.
I will miss her. I am sad for her loss, but also happy for her too. She is now with my mom and others that loved her. Thank you for checking up on me one last time, and for letting me know that you were ok. That was pretty amazing. I love you.