Karen Elaine Storey

Karen Elaine (Stephens) Storey passed peacefully into the next life on Monday, October 21, 2024, at Ashley Manor in Jerome, Idaho. She was 85 years old. Karen was born May 31, 1939, in Ogden, Utah, to L. Zack and Helen (Gravis) Stephens. She was the first child born into this family and was later followed by her brother, Larry, and her twin sisters. Judy and Julie.

Karen loved her family and had a happy childhood. She very much enjoyed her siblings, and especially liked looking after the twins, as she was 6 years old when they were born. She was a natural caregiver, and always loved being around children. Her own children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were her greatest joy. She also had many lifelong friends.

Karen met her “Huckleberry”, Harold Lawrence “Huck” Storey on a blind date that had been set up by Huck’s good friend, Rex Fuller. Their first date was dinner and a movie. Karen and Huck often went dancing at the Hermitage Inn in Huntsville, Utah. They were married March 30, 1956. Huck was the love of her life, and she missed him terribly when he died after 39 years of marriage in 1995. Karen became a widow at the age of 55.

Harold and Karen lived in Ogden Valley for about half of their married life. They were blessed with 5 of their 6 children while living in the Valley: Steve, Mike, Joe, Elaine, and Will. Kate was born after they had moved to Gooding, Idaho, and she brought lots of joy and fun to the family. Karen missed the mountains of her beloved Valley, but she grew to really love Gooding and called it home. She lived in Gooding for many years, where she built a business cleaning homes. Karen enjoyed visiting with her clients as she worked.

While Karen was raised in the city, she loved living in the country. She loved farm life. Raising her family was always her top concern. She was an excellent and loving mother and was always so proud of each of her children. Aside from taking care of her family she loved to read books, she enjoyed picnics and being in the mountains. She liked to crochet, sew, and oil paint. She loved long walks, music, and being active in the LDS Church, where she held many callings, mostly working with children and youth. When she became a grandmother, she felt blessed to spend time with her grandchildren, and later on with her great grandchildren. Karen truly enjoyed the noise and playfulness of little children; their antics always made her smile.

Later in life, Karen married Thomas Kenney. They moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, where they bought a home and lived for several years. They had many good times traveling and enjoying life together. Eventually, Tom and Karen divorced, and Karen remained in her home in Twin Falls until she moved into an assisted living facility in Wendell, Idaho.

Karen was a ‘behind the scenes’ kind of person. She was always there taking care of everyone, making sure things ran smoothly, making everyone feel loved and special. She had a wonderful smile, an infectious laugh, and a true gift for nurturing. She was always described as being kind and loving, though she was also lots of fun, and sometimes a little feisty. She had an incredible inner strength and handled every challenge that life gave to her with dignity and grace.

Karen was preceded in death by her beloved parents, L. Zack and Helen Stephens; her sister, Julie; her brother, Larry; and her husband, Harold. She is survived by her sister, Judy (Lee) Linford, of Plain City, Utah; her children, Steven (Roxanne) Storey, of Buhl, Idaho; Michael (Julie) Storey, of Fairfield, Idaho; Elaine (Brian) Davis of Hagerman, Idaho; Joe (Nancy) Storey of Gooding, Idaho; Will (Debbey) Storey, of Unity, Oregon; and Kate (Jon) Sweet of Tyler, Minnesota; 16 special grandchildren: Adrea, Samantha, Tisa, Karen, Jenny, April, Kyle, Scott, Holli, Kevin, Korbin, Beau, Ethan, Dylan, Eva, and Sylvia, and 28 much loved great grandchildren.

The family wishes to express their many thanks to the staffs of Stonebridge Assisted Living in Wendell, Idaho; Ashley Manor Lincoln in Jerome, Idaho, and Visions Hospice for the loving and compassionate care that Karen has received these last years and months of her life as she suffered with a cruel disease.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, with a viewing beginning at 10:00 am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1228 Main Street, Gooding, Idaho, Monday, November 4, 2024. Grave dedication will follow at the Elmwood Cemetery in Gooding, Idaho.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Karen’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthortuary.com.