Karen Ann Shaffer Larkin

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of our adored wife, Mom, and Nana, Karen, who passed away peacefully at home on February 22, 2026, surrounded by her family.

Karen was born on October 15, 1946, in Logan, Utah to Francis and Valeda Shaffer. As the only daughter and youngest child in a family with three brothers (Fred (Joann), Carvel (Bonnie) and Dan (Elayne)), she was a cherished and welcome addition. She was raised on dry farms in the rural communities of Winder and Preston, Idaho. Farm life shaped her from a young age; dirt roads and grain fields were a daily part of her life. She and her mom often carried Pepsi and lunch out to her dad and brothers as they worked long days in the fields. During this time of life she attended school in an old church house. Eventually her family settled in Logan, Utah.

She met her sweetheart, Glenn, during the fall semester of her freshman year at Utah State University in an English Literature class. Within a day or two, Glenn knew he wanted to get to know her better. One day, finding an open seat next to her, Karen asked him for the notes from the previous class. Their conversation became a little too lively, and the professor called them out for talking. That small moment opened the door to Glenn asking her out-and the rest is history. They dated for a year before being sealed in the Logan Utah Temple on September 16, 1966. This year marks their 60th wedding anniversary.

Karen and Glenn worked side by side to build their life together. While Glenn completed his degree, Karen worked as a secretary to help put him through school. After graduation, they packed all their belongings into a 1959 Chevrolet and moved to Bountiful, Utah, where she and Glenn put down roots into the community that they love.

Early in their marriage, after moving to Bountiful, Karen endured profound loss. Within six months, she lost her mother, her firstborn son Kurt, and her maternal grandmother. Soon after, Glenn was sent away to military training. Though extremely difficult, these experiences deepened her love for family and strengthened the quiet resilience that would carry her throughout her life.

In the years that followed, Karen and Glenn welcomed three daughters into their home (Angela, Nicole, and Kristin). Karen's love for her family became her life's work. Her greatest joy was gathering her loved ones together and creating family traditions-holidays, birthdays, vacations to Sun Valley, her annual Valentine party, simple Sunday dinners-any reason to celebrate and be together was reason enough.

Karen had a natural gift for creating beauty. She loved designing and decorating her home, making it a warm and welcoming place for all who entered. What began as a personal passion grew into helping others create beautiful homes of their own, eventually leading her and Glenn to start Noble House, a business centered on home design.

Karen had a deep and abiding faith in the plan of happiness and knew she was a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father. Her relationship with her Savior guided her life. Because of that faith, she was willing to serve wherever she was needed. She served in nearly every organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as in many civic and community roles.

Following her parents' example, Karen loved temple service. She found particular joy attending with Glenn in the Bountiful Utah Temple, a sacred place that meant so much to them.

More than anything, Karen will be remembered for her devotion-to her faith, to her sweetheart, and to her family. Her legacy is one of positivity, quiet strength, beauty, a love of gathering together and unwavering love. She leaves behind a family who will forever be grateful for her example and who will carry her love in their hearts always.Thank you for grounding us in faith, showing us the value of sincere friendship and teaching us that life's a "cinch by the inch".

She is survived by her loving husband, Glenn Larkin; her daughters and sons-in-law, Angela (Steve) Winchester, Nicole (Chris) Carver, Kristin (Andy) Leger; her 11 adored grandchildren: Justin Carver, Mary (Emer) Rocha, Laura Carver, Anne Winchester, Adam (Emma )Leger, Samuel Carver, Benjamin Winchester, Zachary (Emily) Leger, Jacob Carver, William Leger, James Leger; and her beautiful great-granddaughter, Celeste Rocha.

We take great comfort in knowing that a joyous reunion is taking place between Karen and so many people she loves, including her son, Kurt; her parents, Francis and Valeda Shaffer; her father and mother-in-law, George and Bernice Larkin; her brother, Carvel Shaffer and so many other family members and friends.

There will be a viewing on Monday, March 2, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary: 295 N. Main Street, Bountiful, UT. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 3, at 11:00 a.m. at the Mueller Park 2nd Ward Building (the A Frame Church House at 1825 South 800 East Bountiful, Utah) with a viewing from 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. prior to services.

We express deep gratitude to the physicians, nurses, and staff at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Huntsman at Home Hospice and the wonderful team from Forget Me Not Home Care for their compassionate and extraordinary care during Karen's final days.

For those who can't attend in person and would like to attend virtually please use the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85290558968?pwd=ksMgFbJ4LHgkUaHFFAUmYpmLDNXsfn.1