Karlene Humphrey Bauer passed away on November 27, 2021 at the age of 81, at her home in Sandy, watched over faithfully by her husband of 64 years. She was born in Salt Lake City on May 11, 1940, to William Ernest and Grace LaVerne (Knaphus) Humphrey. From her youth, Karlene loved people - especially young people - and she loved life. She also loved reading and learning. She spent much of her life combining all of those loves into a career of teaching biology at both the junior high and high school level.
A natural leader, with a crazy work-ethic, she worked many summers writing science curriculum for science teachers across the state of Utah and followed it up by working throughout the school year teaching it in the classroom. She taught at Butler Junior High School, as well as Jordan High School. She began teaching science in the secondary schools when that was seen as a man’s domain. She spent her career purposely opening-up careers in science and math to young women, as well as serving as the head of the science department at Jordan High School. Her love of learning was contagious. All of her children earned multiple college degrees.
Her life was one of service. In addition to her teaching duties, she spent years assisting the coach of the women's gymnastics team at Jordan High School (spending extra time learning how to judge gymnastics so she could help coach the young women appropriately). While working many summers on state curriculum, she was hyper-active in her local ward (of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), serving for years in roles in music, and with the young women. She was a hardcore Girls Camper (no small feat for a mother of all boys). And even in retirement, she spent many days working at the Church Museum of History and Art.
Karlene has also led her family in passing. She is survived by her husband, Joel; their three sons, Brad, Keldon and Barry; two of her daughters-in-law Sonia (Ontiveros), and Cristina (Da Encarnacao); her five grandchildren Ezra, Jonathan, Giselle, Edison, and Amanda; a granddaughter-in-law Christina (Dennis); two great-grandsons Jared and David; as well as her five siblings David Humphrey, William (Bill) Humphrey, Kimball Humphrey, Ruth Wilder, and Daniel Humphrey. She will also be missed by her sisters-in-law, many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a daughter-in-law Valerie (Blackburn).
Those wishing to say goodbye to Karlene may attend the viewing on Monday December 6, 2021, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road, in Sandy. A second viewing will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1050 East Galena Drive, in Sandy beginning at 10:00 AM on December 7, 2021, prior to the funeral service which will begin at 11:00 AM. Karlene will be interred in the Cedar City cemetery, 685 North Main Street in Cedar City, on December 8, 2021, at 11:00 AM.
Funeral services on Tuesday will be streamed via Zoom. You will need to log in to your own Zoom account. Once logged in, click the “Watch Services” link above.
As one of her many students - I want to send love to her family. Mrs. Bauer was an extraordinary person who touched my life. Her kind words of encouragement and support have remained with me all these years. I still have an ornament she gave me. It has a special place on my tree and in my heart.
We were truly lucky to have her touch our lives.
Karlene and Joel have been examples of faith and endurance to all who know them. You are preparing the way for the rest of us. We love you and your family dearly.
I was in her human biology class and loved learning from her about biology. It was a lovely class and I’m sorry for the loss to the family.
I want to send my condolences to her family. She was very influential for me. After taking her human biology class junior year, I knew I wanted a career in medicine. I have worked as a nurse now for 18 years. She was one of my favorite teachers; so fun, intelligent and supportive. I appreciate her influence in my life and loved reading about her amazing life and passions. I am so sorry for the loss of such a great woman.
Karlene was a wonderful friend! I loved coaching with her. She always had a beautiful smile and laughter to go along with it. Karlene loved teaching and cared about her students. We had great times at Good Old Jordan High. I love you Karlene!
Mrs Bauer. Thank you for showing me, the awkward kid in High school, to be excellent in all you attempt. Don’t mind what others thought of you. Always be yourself. You taught me so many things in that AP biology class. So many small but important life lessons that I am forever grateful. Class of 94 science trip will always be one of the best experience I have ver had.
Mrs. Bauer was my biology/AP biology teacher in high school. She instilled a love of learning science in me and inspired me to become a science teacher. She was so kind and truly cared about all of us. She will be missed so much.
Karlene Bauer is a great person! She touched the lives of many and helped teach many people biology. She will be greatly missed. I want to express my sincere condolences to the family.
It was my privilege & pleasure to serve with Karlene at the Church History Museum. She was so smart, good with people, good sense of humor, strong testimony. I loved serving with her.
Mrs. Bauer was one of the best teachers our family has ever known. She taught all five of our children and sponsored an athletic award for female athletes that our three daughters received. She was authentic and caring as well as a dedicated and superb teacher. She will always have a special place in our hearts.
Dear Bauer family,
I wanted to offer my love and condolences of the loss of one of the truly amazing individuals in my life. Sister/Mrs. Bauer was a consummate professional teacher and a wonderful and kind person. I am so thankful for the influence she had in my life. It was because of her love of biology that I've been blessed to have a successful career in the biological sciences. I was fortunate to be a member of a small team that found the genes for breast and ovarian cancer and then developed the information into the first molecular genetic IVD test. Millions have benefitted from this test and Mrs. Bauer's influence on me was a huge part of my interest and effort. I look forward to seeing her again and thanking her for the love of biology she instilled in me. Her influence as a teacher has very much helped many people. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Ken Eddington