Karen Stowell Layton
Karen Stowell Layton passed away peacefully on October 15, 2023, surrounded by family, after a short illness, in Ogden, Utah, at the age of 87, two weeks shy of her 88th birthday. Karen was born on October 29, 1935, to Gordon and Bernice Stowell in Thatcher, Arizona.
Karen graduated from Thatcher High School and then attended BYU in Provo, Utah. Upon returning to Thatcher after studying at BYU, she started dating Kent Layton. They had known each other since elementary school, but it took him coming home from basic training in the Navy and her returning from BYU, for them to meet up again. They started dating and were soon engaged and then married for time and all eternity on March 20, 1958, in the Mesa, Arizona temple.
Karen and Kent started their family in Solana Beach, Ca. when Kent was stationed at NAS Miramar in San Diego, Ca. After he got out of the Navy, they remained in California moving to San Diego, where they lived for 46 years.
Karen always said “Family meant everything to me” and she was blessed with three daughters and one son. Lori Layton, Tammy (Robert) Lloyd, Dee Ann (Fathi) Abdullah and Farrell (Kimberley) Layton. 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Karen was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She loved the gospel and lived by its teachings. She loved visiting teaching and ministering to sisters in every place she lived. She held many church callings, including ward and stake organist, Relief Society President- twice, Young Women President and many other callings which she fulfilled to the best of her ability.
Karen had many talents and hobbies. Besides her family, music was her greatest love, which she said she owed to her mother. She taught piano, having taught more than 400 students over her lifetime, including teaching four of her great-grandchildren. She also taught 30 plus organ students. She was always ward organist or pianist in each ward she lived in, for over 61 years,
Karen loved cooking for her family, a favorite of the family was her enchiladas. She was an amazing seamstress and quilter. She started crocheting and made afghans for everyone. It was her way of showing love. She gave one to every new friend in the colors they loved. Many of you here today are recipients of one of her afghans.
On Karen’s 75th birthday, Tammy and Robert surprised her with the opportunity to play the organ in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, courtesy of organist Clay Christiansen. It was a very special day for her with family there to hear her play.
Karen and Kent moved to Utah in October of 2003. They were close to moving into the house they were building when Kent passed away unexpectedly right before the house was finished in February of 2004.
Karen loved her home in Syracuse and loved the changing seasons in Utah. She sold her home in 2022 and moved to Chancellor Gardens in Clearfield, Utah, where she made many friends.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kent; her brother, Farrel; her sister, Ellen Loraina; and her son-in-law, Fathi.
The family would like to thank the staff at Harrison Pointe and those who cared for her from Inspiration Hospice for their tender and loving care in her final days.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 11am at the Jensen Park Ward, 3024 S. 1200 W., Syracuse, Utah. Friends may visit with the family on Friday evening from 6-8pm at the Jensen Park Ward building in Syracuse and Saturday from 9:30-10:45am prior to the services.
Interment will be on October 24, 2023, in the Central, Az, Cemetery.
Condolences can be shared at www.myers-mortuary.com