Karen A Anderson

Karen Anderson was born February 7, 1943 in Provo, Utah. She was the daughter of O'Dean and Vera Anderson. She grew up in various western states where her father managed construction projects for Morrison-Knudsen Construction Company. She had two younger brothers, Nyles (deceased) and Jerald (Margo) of Garrison, Utah.

Karen passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on May 25, 2020, at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello. Her ashes will be scattered in the mountains she loved.

A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held on June 27 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 1350 Baldy Avenue in Pocatello. If Covid-19 regulations should restrict such a gathering, it will be publicized in the Idaho State Journal and at the Wilks Funeral Home web site (https://www.wilksfuneralhome.com/) few days in advance.

Karen graduated from Borah High School in Boise in 1960. She earned a BS Degree in Biology from the University of Utah in 1964 and, after teaching for a year in a Christian high school, an MS Degree in Biology in 1967.

She met her husband Philip through the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ in 1967 and they were married on March 22, 1968. Karen and Philip have two sons - Karl Erik (& Adair) who live in Washington, DC and Brad who lives in Blackfoot, Idaho.

In the early 1980s' she earned a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling at ISU. For the next two decades Karen had a private practice as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with offices in Pocatello and Idaho Falls.

She loved backpacking and introduced her family to it in the 1970s'. They made three trips to the bottom of the Grand Canyon in Arizona and to most of the major mountain and wilderness areas in Idaho. She and Philip first took their two sons on an ambitious trip through Idaho's Sawtooth Wilderness when they were ages 2 and 3. She also was an avid and talented musician, and often taught piano lessons.

In 1978 Karen and Philip traveled with an exchange program to Costa Rica, and made friends that changed their lives. Both families visited back and forth numerous times which was a challenge at first because neither family spoke the others' language. But determination and a shared Christian faith overcame the communication barrier.

Karen was a committed Christian virtually all of her life. In college she took the lead in establishing the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of Utah in the 1960s'. During her first three decades in Pocatello she led the music program of the Pocatello Church of the Nazarene, participated in Bible Study Fellowship and various other Christian projects, especially focusing on the emotional and Spiritual well-being of women. During recent years she was active in Grace Lutheran Church. Serving God and walking in His light was her highest priority in life - consistently and always! She is no doubt thrilled to be in His eternal presence.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family under the "tribute wall" tab above.