Karen Ostler Hemenway

Karen Ostler Hemenway, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2025, in South Jordan, Utah, at the age of 84, surrounded by her loving family.

Karen was born May 9, 1941, in Nephi, Utah. Her early years were spent on a farm without electricity or running water, experiences that shaped her lifelong resilience, gratitude, and unwavering work ethic. After moving into town, her leadership qualities quickly became evident. She made history as the first female student body president at Juab High School, setting a pattern of quiet strength and determination that would define her life.

She attended Brigham Young University, where she met her eternal companion, Arvel Lee Hemenway. While Karen did not complete a degree in her own name, she was deeply educated and gifted, particularly in writing. She lovingly supported her children through their schooling, often helping refine papers so well that they had to ask her to “tone it down” so teachers would believe it was theirs.

Karen devoted her life to her home and family. A homemaker in the fullest sense, she created a home centered on love, constancy, and service. She cared for her children, friends, neighbors, and even strangers with generosity and joy. She rarely complained and faced hardship with remarkable optimism. Many never knew when she was in pain because she simply continued serving others with a smile.

One of the most remarkable things about Karen was how she made people feel. Time with her left you feeling like the most important person in the world. She had a rare ability to see the very best in others and help them see it in themselves. Conversations with Karen left people feeling lifted, capable, and confident — as though they were standing on the top of a mountain, ready to conquer whatever lay ahead. She was genuine, real, and deeply interested in people, and those who knew her walked away stronger because of it.

Karen was a lifelong, faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her faith was not something she practiced occasionally — it was the foundation of her life. She served diligently in many callings and lived the gospel daily. She loved her Savior, Jesus Christ, and bore testimony of Him often. In her final days, surrounded by family, she once again bore testimony of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, expressing her faith in eternal families and the peace it brought her.

She loved to stay active and creative. For more than ten years, Karen taught water aerobics, chair aerobics, and painting classes in her community, rarely missing a session. She hand-painted birthday cards for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren — each accompanied by a personal poem written just for them. These treasured gifts reflected her desire to give something personal, thoughtful, and rooted in love.

Karen was also well known for her homemade gingerbread houses, made completely from scratch, a tradition she shared with many of her grandchildren. She and her family often delivered gingerbread houses to neighbors and friends while caroling, quietly spreading joy wherever she went.

Above all, Karen was constant. Her children always knew where she was — she was there when they left for school, when they returned home, when they were sick, or when they needed to talk late into the night. Her life was a testimony of steady love, selfless service, and faith freely given.

Karen was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Arvel Lee Hemenway; her parents; and seven of her eight siblings. After two years apart from her eternal companion, she joyfully joins him again.

She is survived by her eight children: Val Atwood (Matt), Kathy Waderich (Dale), Curtis Hemenway (Sayda), Greg Hemenway (Darcy), Ed Hemenway (Katie), Brad Hemenway (Jessi), Chrissy Orth (Trent), and Kim Cram (Jeremy); her 28 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren (and counting); and her brother, Paul Ostler.

Karen’s life was one of quiet devotion, faith, sacrifice, creativity, and love. Her legacy lives on through her posterity and the countless lives she touched. She will be deeply missed until that joyful day when families are reunited again.

Funeral Services

A viewing will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Anderson & Goff Mortuary (11859 S. 700 E., Draper, Utah 84020).

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at 9750 South 2200 West, South Jordan, Utah 84095. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the service, from 9:30–10:30 a.m., at the same location.

Friends and family are invited to attend and celebrate the life of Karen Ostler Hemenway. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her legacy of faith, service, and love will continue through the many lives she touched.

The services will be livestreamed at the following link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8015991142?pwd=TgZzCPRa5O3kzAKD0GTaEVY42Emht9.1&omn=85765219328

Meeting ID: 801 599 1142

Passcode: Karen