Karen Larson Barton

Karen Larson Barton, age 84, of West Jordan and St. George, succumbed on March 8, 2025, to a head injury sustained in an accidental fall the day before. She was surrounded by much of her family during her last hours.

Karen Sue Larson was born April 5, 1940, in Bacchus, Utah, and grew up in the Granger area, graduating from Cyprus High School. She married Bill Barton in 1958 after graduating high school. They welcomed their first child, son Tom, a year later. He was joined by daughter Allison in 1963 and son Doran in 1972.

Early in her marriage, Karen worked as a dental assistant, as a bookkeeper, and as a bank teller at Walker Bank.

Many in Granger and the Salt Lake Valley came to know Karen after she partnered with her brother Paul, mother Rhea, and husband Bill to open The Oaken Bucket restaurant in 1975. This unique dining establishment featured homemade pies, soups and entrees named after local towns and landmarks. The restaurant operated until 1992 and Karen’s smiling face would usually greet customers as they came in the entrance. Karen’s mother made the pies and soups but Karen took this over after her mother’s passing in 1987. The restaurant employed dozens of local people and Karen adopted many of the waitresses as second daughters, remaining extremely close in the years that followed.

After the restaurant closed, Karen worked for Pioneer Valley Hospital and served on their board. She also sat on the local Juvenile Justice Advocacy Board, where she helped make recommendations to the Juvenile Justice Court.

Throughout their marriage, Bill and Karen were involved in civic groups such as the Jaycees and Lions Clubs. She helped organize countless activities on behalf of these organizations such as the Lions Walk for the Blind and a Veterans Memorial Day Service.

During her later years, Karen had worsening symptoms of asthma and painful rheumatoid arthritis. She approached these challenges like she did everything else: with determination. About ten years ago, she and Bill began wintering in St. George where breathing was easier for her. Despite her challenges, she attended as many activities for her grandkids and great-grandkids as she could and never missed sending something for birthdays and Christmas. Moreover, she always made extraordinary efforts to ensure her close friends and second daughters were cared for, cherished, and checked on—deeply appreciating those who did the same for her.

Karen loved entertaining family and friends with home-cooked meals and desserts and many celebrated when she would whip up a big batch of her famous Oaken Bucket Clam Chowder. Karen rarely had an empty Sunday dinner table. She was clever, dry-humored and unflinchingly honest—never hesitating to say exactly what she thought, but always doing so with love. She loved her family, her community, and her country … and spent her life making them all better.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents Lynn and Rhea, her siblings Don, Gayle (Nordell), and Paul, and her great-granddaughter Savannah Petersen. She is survived by Bill, her husband of 67 years; son Tom; daughter Allison and her husband Darvell; son Doran and his wife Christine; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of life to be held on Friday, March 14 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building located at 6567 S Wakefield Way, West Jordan, UT. Funeral services will be at 12:30 p.m. at the church followed by interment at Valley View Memorial Park 4335 W 4100 S, West Valley City, UT.

A live video stream of the funeral service will be available at https://www.youtube.com/live/hDW-pxubOUQ.