Karen Wright Stephensen

Karen Laura Wright Stephensen, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away August 9, 2026 in Layton, Utah at the age of 93.

Born on November 23, 1932, to ElVeda Naomi Hansen and George Deming Wright, she was raised in Midvale, Utah along with her younger siblings, Gayle and Michael.

Karen graduated from Jordan High school, where she excelled as a musician and as a cheerleader. Through these and other activities, she formed friendships that have lasted a lifetime. These friends met monthly in what her children knew as Midvale Club, for over 60 years. Though many from this group have passed away, those that are remaining continue to keep in touch.

Karen was a talented seamstress. She was active in 4-H and at age 14, took first place in the Salt Lake County Fair dress revue. The expertly tailored dress went on to earn a blue ribbon at the Utah State Fair and a Grand Champion award in the regional competition in Oregon. As a mom, she sewed many of her children’s clothes, taught her daughters to sew and even made her daughter’s wedding dress.

One of the gifts that Karen enjoyed and shared with others was her love of the arts. In Jr. High and High School, she played French horn in the band and violin in the orchestra. Carrying those instruments back and forth to school at the same time was quite a challenge, especially in the winter. After high school, Karen attended Brigham Young University. During that time, she was a violinist in the Symphonic orchestra. She also participated in a dance group, Orchesis, which was under the direction of Shirley Ririe, who went on to form the Ririe Woodbury dance troupe.

She married Ladd Stephensen on December 28th, 1955. They settled in Riverton, UT. Their first child, Clayton, died at birth. He was followed by Shelley, Shauna, Tracy, Suzanne, Kurt and Krista. They also had 2 stillborn children, Paul and James. After she and Ladd were divorced, Karen moved to South Jordan, Utah, where she lived for over 40 years. She entered the workforce and had several jobs, including being a receptionist for a podiatrist and as an accounting clerk at the University of Utah.

Karen’s number one priority in life was her family. She loved her children deeply and did many things to encourage and support them in their activities. She constantly and consistently cared for Krista, “her sweetheart girl,” with her unique needs and challenges. She spent much of her life as a support and caregiver to her parents and her sister. As grandchildren came along, she did countless things to show her love for them.

Karen was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She shared her testimony of Jesus Christ through music. She served for most of her life in music callings such as ward/stake choir director and chorister. As an accomplished violinist, added to the spirit of many gatherings. She also enjoyed teaching the Cultural Refinement lessons in Relief Society.

As a young mother, Karen was in a vocal quartet of friends from Riverton. They had a program that they performed throughout the community. Those ladies also became lifelong friends. Other friendships were fostered with those in Riverton from Club 22, a group of women who gathered monthly for many years and supported each other through the challenges of life.

Throughout her life, Karen was passionate about reading. She read to her children. She joined several book groups in recent years and made many friends there. She always kept lists of books she had read and wanted to read, along with quotes and newspaper articles connected to literature. When her sight failed several years ago, she continued reading and participating in a book club by listening to audiobooks.

Karen had a great sensitivity to all things connected to the arts and literature. She blessed her children’s lives through sharing her feelings about music and books and her natural curiosity about life. She loved going to plays and watching ice skating on television. She was thrilled to be able to go to New York City and see Broadway plays. She was also an avid fan of the Utah Jazz and the BYU Cougars.

Karen is survived by her children: Shelley (Neal) Jackson, Shauna (Drew) Weidman, Tracy, Hillsboro, OR, Suzanne, Henderson, NV, Kurt (Danielle), and Krista. She treasured her 14 grandchildren, their spouses and her 21 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Gayle, brother Michael, and sons Clayton, Paul and James.

The family wishes to express their gratitude and appreciation to the staff and caregivers at Sunridge Assisted Living and Atlas Hospice and wish to thank them for their kindness and service.

A viewing will be held on Sunday, August 16, 2026 at Goff Mortuary, 8090 South State Street, Midvale from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 17 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 4200 West Skye Drive, South Jordan at Noon. A viewing will precede the funeral from 10:30 – 11:45 am. Interment will follow at the Riverton City Cemetery.