children in Pocatello, Idaho. She had wonderful memories growing up in a
tight knit community surrounded by cousins, aunts and uncles. Her parents,
Doyle and Rose Velean Bowden, raised them with lots of love and family time.
She shared memories of picnics, fishing, swimming in the river, trips to Island
Park and Bear Lake, and her most beloved holiday: Thanksgiving with all of
her Ward family cousins. This tradition lasted long after she married and
moved away from Idaho. She made a point to bring her children home for
Thanksgiving to be a part of their traditions and large extended family.
As a very young aunt starting at the age of 10, she cherished her nieces
and nephews as if they were her own children, and they were always welcome
in her home. Many nights, she would spend sewing matching outfits for her
nieces and nephews. Karen was an accomplished seamstress and rarely used
a pattern. A gifted artist, she could imagine anything and then create it. Her
favorite mediums were sewing and woodworking, but she could paint or draw
anything. She would proudly declare, “I am not an artist,” while quickly
painting something intricate and precise. From a very small age, she took
piano lessons. Never one to follow all of the rules, she taught herself some
short cuts and stopped taking lessons. She continued to play for fun her entire
life. Many hours were spent with her accompanying her daughter as they
sang “oldies” at the piano. She instilled a lifelong love of music in both of her
children.
Karen graduated from University of Idaho with a degree in cosmetology.
She also married late in life, at the ripe age of 21. She met and fell in love with
the love of her life, Keith Barnes, in 1961. She worked in a beauty salon until
Keith graduated from college, and they started to live all over the western
United States. She kept up her cosmetology license until she moved to Texas
in 1989. She had a special room in each house with a real salon sink, sit down
blow dryer and lots of clients. In addition to being a beautician, she was an
interior decorator and secretary. She lived in Utah, Colorado, Washington,
California, Colorado, again, and finally Texas. No matter where she lived,
home was always Pocatello, Idaho. Karen never acclimated to the bugs in
Texas, and she hated the blue bonnets (They’re just weeds) but she loved
Texas BBQ (Rudy’s)and the best Mexican food in the world found at Chuy’s.
She was a lifelong active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints. In 1972, she was sealed to her husband and children, for time and all
eternity, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Her service in the church included, Relief
Society Teacher, President and Counselor; Primary President, Teacher and
Counselor; In-service Teacher and Activities Chairman. She was quick to sign
up to make sets, props and costumes for church productions. Her work was
known far and wide as always having the “wow factor.” After she moved to
Texas, she rested on her laurels, but her children remember her working
tirelessly on many creative pursuits. Her heart was always with the very
young people of the church, and she was gifted with being able to enjoy their
radiant spirits.
Karen loved the holidays. Her home was decorated for every holiday with
her own creations. Christmas was her favorite, and her yard won decorating
contests every year and even found itself as part of a viral meme. Her
husband and son were quick to figure out the lighting of anything she could
dream up. She dressed up for Halloween every year and loved handing out
candy. Growing up, she made amazing Halloween costumes for her children
and was a make-up artist, so her kids never wore a mask.
She is preceded in death by her husband-Keith Barnes, parents, Doyle and
Rose Velean Bowden, siblings, Rea, Laurel, Duane, and Dale and her husband’s
family, Alice, Charles “Dean”and Colleen. She is survived by siblings, Alean,
Nyla and Myrna, her children, Brian and Kareena, their spouses, and her
grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her favorite name was Grandma
Barnes. We know she is holding court in heaven with her family. She was a
true matriarch and will continue to watch over us here on earth. Families are
forever and we will be with her again.
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