Karen Lee Kolman

Karen Lee Quinton Kolman came into the world April 24, 1942 and it has never quite been the same. She is a beautiful soul, inside and out, and we will miss her bright smile, quick wit and funny sense of humor. Karen passed away peacefully surrounded with her family by her side on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Karen was born and raised in Spokane, Washington to Lila and Myron Quinton. She grew up with two older brothers and a younger sister. She reflected often on her simple but wonderful childhood.

Karen left her beautiful neighborhood of Green Acres in Spokane and headed south to Provo, Utah to attend Brigham Young University. While attending BYU, she met her husband Gary Kolman. On August 21, 1963 Karen and Gary sealed their love in marriage in the Cardston, Alberta Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She graduated in 1964 with a BA in Fine Arts - emphasis in Speech and Drama. She also received her teaching certification which she was very proud of.

She loved learning and continued to school herself in many subjects throughout her life. She could do anything she put her mind to. We often said she wore a red cape… “Super Woman”. Karen was an avid reader and there was always a book close by. She was often found quizzing her children on all sorts of subjects. She was as patriotic as they come and loved drilling us on States and Capitols, State flowers and State nicknames.

She was amazing with children and youth. She had a way of connecting and made a difference wherever she went. Preparing and serving a meal was her primary way of serving others and over the years thousands of meals have been enjoyed around her table or kitchen island. She matters to so many, and countless lives have been blessed because of her goodness.

Karen loved her family more than anything. She had seven children; Six girls and one boy. With so many children, grandchildren and great-grand children the noise level was always pretty high, which never seemed to bother her.

Family brought such joy to her life and she loved being surrounded by them. She was often found playing games, reading stories, putting together puzzles, cooking, baking, even playing volleyball, jumping on the trampoline or riding the ATV. She is spunky and so full of life and the legacy and love of family will live on through all of us.

Karen is known for a lot of things… to encapsulate a few she absolutely loved sports, basketball being her favorite. She expressed herself in colorful ways when watching anything sports related. She won multiple awards for cooking but she is most proud of her ‘Best Chili’ Award. She loved to be in the kitchen. Bottled raspberries, canned peaches, berry pies, homemade sauces, soups, breads and everything in between were her specialty. She was an incredible cook and knew just how to bedazzle any recipe. Pepsi was her drink of choice and she had a serious sweet tooth. But how we will remember her most is her love of the Savior, her strong faith in the gospel and her love of the temple. Karen was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various leadership positions. Her strong and unwavering testimony is what she held most dear.

Karen was full of courage and had a fire in her that sustained her throughout her life. She was a fighter in every way even in her final hours. We express our love and appreciation and are so grateful for her beautiful sister, Peggy. She moved in to help two years ago and took such great care of her. She is an angel.

Karen is preceded in death by her loving Mother Lila and Father Myron, and her brother Myron “Goey”. She is survived by her husband, Gary Kolman, her sister Peggy Krouse and her brother Garry Quinton, her loving son Michael (Melanie) Kolman, and her six beautiful daughters: Julie (Kevin) McLain, Gina Grinnan, Susan (Scott) Bland, Jennifer Boyle, Melissa Allred and Kimberly (Ryker) Sweat; 28 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Her Legacy lives on within each of us.

A viewing will be held Monday, January 24,2022 from 6-8pm at the Heber City Stake Center located at 150 North 200 West, Heber City, Utah.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 11:00am. A viewing will be held prior from 9:30-10:30am at the Heber City Stake Center located at 150 North 200 West, with interment at the Heber City Cemetery. Condolences may be shared online at Probstfamilyfunerals.com
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to send a donation Venmo Kim-Sweat-1
Anyone to view the service via livestream can do so at this link. https://my.gather.app/remember/karen-lee-kolman