Karen Ann Van Liew Holt completed her heavenly purpose on earth and left us to be with the angels on October 10th, 2020. She surely beamed her beautiful, sweet smile when she was greeted in heaven by her late husband, William, who has been patiently waiting for her embrace since March 26, 1992. She was a loving wife, sister, mother and noni (grandmother).
Karen and William are both survived by their 6 loving children William (Molly), Jennifer (Marc), Kristen (Chris), Allison (Josh), John Paul (Erin) and Michael. She is also survived by her 10 grandchildren (and counting) from her very fruitful marriage to Bill. Additionally, Karen is survived by her current husband Douglas and his two children, Bridget and Monica along with Bridget's two children. She is preceded by her stepson Jonas, who is surely showing off his amazing dance moves in heaven now that they are together.
Karen loved people and had a way of spreading her love for life like wildfire. Always searching for the joy in everything she did, Karen's infectious smile could be found at church, around the homes of her many children and grandchildren, visiting her youngest son in Maui, rooting for her Dallas Cowboys or USC Trojans, handing out loaves of her famous bread around the holidays or comfortably perched at a nearby video poker machine.
Karen devoted much of her life to her faith, church and Marriage Encounter with her husband Bill, helping others create the love that they embodied. Karen loved her calling to help anyone that needed her wisdom, encouragement or just to talk. No matter what she was doing, Karen gave all of herself, including the clothes off of her back in some cases.
When Bill passed, Karen was widowed with 6 children from 7 to 19 years old. With the help of the church community and her marriage to Doug a few years later, she gave her children everything they could have possibly needed and then some. Karen created a family dynamic to be marveled; complete with appreciation, positive communication, spiritual well-being and commitment that will live on for centuries to come. There has never been a mother more caring, tolerant, loving and patient as Karen Van Liew. She constantly gave her unconditional love to anyone who needed it and heaven certainly is a brighter, more joyous place today because she is there.
As Karen would say, "Life is too short to hold on to bad memories. Remember that and search for the joy." And on your journey in life, when you get the choice to sit out or dance, Karen hopes you dance.
Services will be held privately on October 29th and 30th with the family and close friends due to venue limitations. Celebration of life will be on October 30th with open house beginning at 2PM at 6115 West Hedgehog Place, Phoenix 85083.
A livestream of the services will take place on the A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Facebook page, if you want to watch the livestream please click on the link. The stream will start 5-10 minutes prior to the service, and will have Karen's name in the post.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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