Karen Anderson Packard

Karen Sauer Anderson Packard returned to her Heavenly Father on September 27, 2018. Karen was born September 23, 1952 to Mildred and Doane Sauer in Butte, Montana.

Karen started life on a ranch in Melrose, Montana. Their family of six girls later moved to Seattle, Washington on October 31, 1963. Karen was 11 years old and found life in Seattle markedly different than life on a Montana ranch. She graduated from Chief Sealth High School in 1970. She attended Ricks College and got a degree in how to have fun and give your Mother gray hair. Karen decided to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was called to the California San Diego Mission. Karen had lots of good experiences while being a missionary. She served for a time in the Deaf Branch and became quite fluent in American Sign Language.

Not long after her Mission she met and married Joe Anderson in the Provo Temple on October 26, 1976. Karen and Joe longed to start their family. It was a struggle for her to bear children and it took a number of years before through the blessing of adoption, Kenzie Lynn Anderson came into their lives. It was amazing to see the miracles continue to touch and bless their lives. It was amazing to see the miracles continue to touch and bless their lives as Matthew Doane Anderson and Carly Joan Anderson entered their home to complete their family.

After her divorce, Karen continued to love and support her children as they grew and developed as students and athletes. Even after they left home, found partners, and started their families, Karen was always their biggest supporter and cheerleader.

Karen met Ric and they married November 28, 2015. She relocated to Pocatello, Idaho where they started their lives together. Karen enjoyed her new life and home. She met new friends and added Ric's children, Amanda, Maggie, Andrew and their spouses and their children to her happy family.

Karen loved crafts of all kinds, especially scrapbooking, folk art painting, and home decorating. She had an eye for beauty and could always make things look beautiful. Karen would always know just the right touch to add that extra flair. Karen's motto was "more is more" not "less is more".

Karen was a game player, a puzzle wizard, and an all-around trickster. She loved time spent with her family. A Sister's trip was always on her agenda. She was a remarkable cook. Her specialties were homemade candies, especially divinity, and all sorts of yummy baked goods.

Karen became ill and entered the Portneuf Medical Center in July and continued to decline until September when she was moved to the Monte Vista Hills Healthcare Center on Hospice Care. The staff was kind, caring, and compassionate. We would like to give special thanks to Clay, Shandri, Josh, Hospice Nurse Heather, and Hospice CNA Brandi.

Karen is survived by her husband, Ric; children, Kenzie (Berritt); Matt (Kailee); Carly (Seth); Amanda (Cory), Maggie (Jacob); Andrew (Joanie) and their children. Karen was impatiently waiting for the birth of her first granddaughter in November.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, September 29, 2018 at the church, 2300 Butte Street, (corner of Butte and Hiskey) Pocatello, Idaho. Her interment will be at the Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 S. 5th Avenue, Pocatello, Idaho 83204.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family under the "Tribute Wall" tab above. The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.