Karen Lucille (Madsen) Long

Karen Lucille Madsen Long died peacefully in her home, November 18, 2019, with her sweet husband, as always, by her side.

Karen was born in Idaho Falls on October 13, 1935 to Dermont and Genevieve Madsen. She was the oldest of 9 amazing kids.  She had a wonderful childhood with Grandparents living nearby.

She graduated from Bonneville High School, also in the Idaho Falls area. She continued her education at Ricks College, graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Child Development/Family Relations. Later she got her LPN degree.

She met and married a handsome young man, Lester Long in 1954

She gave birth to 6 kids, one of them being the perfect child, but we won’t mention names.

She moved from Provo to Mapleton in 1970 and made it her home. She welcomed ALL in her home and she would incorporate them into the family as if they were her own. She welcomed her siblings, in-laws, foster kids, her children’s friends and many neighbors, just like HER mom did.

She quietly enjoyed life. She enjoyed gardening, painting, and storytelling. I don’t know if she really did enjoy sewing, but she sure did a lot of it.

She embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ and served in many callings with a particular love for the children and most of all, the Nursery. She also served in the Relief Society and made friends that will last through the eternities. Later in life she served a part time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints and loved it. There really is a specific mission for anyone that wants to serve. Grandpa and Grandma served in the Church office building with Grandpa serving in temple engineering department doing machine work and Grandma in the Church audio visual department office.

Right after they were released from their mission, including during her Homecoming talk, she experienced seizures that would have her “blank” out for a couple seconds or sometimes longer. That led to the first brain tumor diagnosis. She later had another that immediately brought her and Grandpa’s marriage closer in many ways.  She had difficult health problems the rest of her life.

Before tumors, walkers, and wheelchairs, she was known for much, much, more.

She was a wonderful mother to her children and a loyal companion to her husband. But her greatest joy was to spend time with her Grandkids. She has 19 grandkids that she loved with all her heart.  She still has their art on the wall downstairs in her house. She loved to create art with anyone. It could be homemade playdough, gingerbread houses, oil painting, drawing, or finger painting.  With a love for just about any art museum.

She quietly had fun in her own way. She would dress up at Halloween and Grandpa and Grandma would put on a production.  Kids couldn’t just Trick-R-Treat at the Long home, no, no, they came in the house with Grandma dressed up like a green, warty old witch. They offered the kids potatoes, carrots, turnips, zucchini, lemons, etc. and candy bars. The funny thing is, most kids would get excited and choose their favorite vegetable! One little girl was so excited when she got an onion last year, that she had been hoping to get another one this year, and she did.

She would give each of her children and grandchildren a special book for Christmas. She always had a love for books. She loved to read right up to the end of her life.

She made “worm families” with the grandkids out in the garden, she camped out in the tent on the lawn, and she made donuts for all. She was a grand woman and those that had a chance to be around her influence were grateful.

She is survived by her husband Lester and children: Michael (Catherine) of Highland, David (Tammy) of St George, Marianne (Dan) Amatangelo of Taylorsville, Bruce (Jennalee) of Spanish Fork, Janet (Dean) Blanscett of Bend OR, Laura (Sam) Stewart of Payson, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 11 a.m. in the LDS Chapel located at 1316 South Main Street, Mapleton. There will be a viewing held Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at the same church and also on Tuesday from 9:30-10:30 am prior to the services. Interment will in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery. To leave condolences, please visit www.wheelermortuaries.com