Obituary
Karen Ann Ostlund Smith
October 30th, 1939 - July 3rd, 2024
On July 3, 2024, our most beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend Karen Ann Ostlund Smith passed away peacefully in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Karen died just six days after celebrating the 64th anniversary of her eternal marriage to her sweetheart, our father, Clayn Riggs Smith. Happy years they were, filled with six children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many different homes and places lived in, friends and families loved, and adventures shared.
Karen was born in Portland, Oregon, on October 30, 1939 to Velda Stapley Ostlund and Dow Ostlund. An artist from childhood, Karen loved art in all of its forms–drawing, painting, pottery early on, to her lifetime loves of doll creating, weaving, sewing and writing.
Karen met the love of her life, Clayn, when she was in her early teenage years. They were sealed for time and eternity in the Mesa, Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on June 28, 1960, shortly after which they both graduated from Brigham Young University, receiving their Bachelors degrees.
An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all of her life, Karen devoted most of her time serving within the Church, helping others to come unto Christ. She taught and served her family, and all within her care, with great patience and love the whole of her life.
Karen greatly loved her pioneer heritage and every single member of her large Ostlund, Stapley, and Smith family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her younger sister, Judith. Her dear brother Glenn Ostlund (Ann Marie) resides in Chandler, Arizona.
Her children Julie (Roger Campbell), Steven (Karen), Scott (Karen), Gregory (Malinda), Rebecca (Robert Etchells), and Jennifer (Edward Baron), 21 grandchildren, and growing number of great- grandchildren, will strive to build on the legacy she leaves us.
To honor Karen’s life, there will be a viewing on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Karen’s funeral service will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2024, beginning with a viewing at 8-8:45 a.m. Both the viewing and the funeral service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 8710 N. 3rd Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona.
Interment will follow at the Greenwood Lawn Cemetery, 2300 West Van Buren Street, Phoenix, Arizona.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com
