Ida “Karen” (Swank) Newell passed away on November 25, 2022, after a brief illness. Karen was born on July 3, 1936, in Cortez, Colorado to William (Bill) and Olive (Ollie) Swank. She married Larry Douglas Newell on July 31, 1955. Karen was a military spouse, a small business owner (The Book Nook) and an ardent crafter.
Karen loved spending time with family and friends, crafting, camping, reading, doing puzzles, and playing games. Her apple pie and clam chowder were legendary. Karen dedicated a large portion of her life to helping care for those she loved. She spent many years as a member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha philanthropic sorority and loved making cards to fundraise for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Easterseals. She was an active member of the Sun Bird Kare Bears in Chandler, Arizona, and a former member of the Red Hat Society, Peninsula Good Sam Camping Club and Providence United Methodist Church in Virginia.
Karen is preceded in death by Larry, her husband of 60 years, her parents William, Olive (Sampson), and Emma (Denny) Swank and her brothers Frank, Jim, Tyke and Archer Swank. She is survived by her children Lena (Newell) Craft and her husband James, Michael Newell, Lolita Newell and Deborah Newell; her grandchildren Sara (Valerga) Meisner, Richard Valerga and his wife Amanda, Karen (Craft) Wilson and her husband Kenneth, Kristen Presnell and Alex Newell, along with 10 great-grandchildren and countless extended and unofficially adopted family members and friends.
Karen is remembered most for her caring heart, infinite creativity, feisty attitude and sense of humor. She was a warrior. Her strength and tenacity could be seen nowhere better than her defeat of polio as a teenager and rheumatic fever twice. If you were sick, she was the one person you wanted to take care of you. Her homemade cards were a treat to everyone they touched. Karen’s life will be celebrated at a later date when she is laid to rest in Virginia with her husband. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valleyofthesunfuneralhome.com for the Newell family.
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