Karen June Ybarguen Tanner

Karen Y. Tanner age 73 passed away ,at home in Centerville, Utah, after a long and hard fought battle against Lou Gehrig’s (ALS)and Alzheimer’s diseases on December 1, 2018. Karen was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Margaret June Havens and Joe Ybarguen. As a young child the family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah where she grew up. She loved growing up in the Salt Lake Valley, with its beautiful mountains. She attended Granite High School and was crowned as the Senior Prom Queen. While working at Keely’s Café, as a waitress, she was introduced to her future husband, by Al Hohman owner of the Florsheim Shoe Shop, which was just next door. Daniel M. Tanner was his Assistant Store manager. Karen and Dan were married in Memory Grove on June 19, 1964. Karen was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on July 5, 1964. They moved to California shortly thereafter. Their marriage was solemnized in the Oakland, California Temple May 5, 1972. They made California their home for the next forty years, covering the state from the bay area, where her seven children were born, then to Diamond Bar, LA County, where she was a teacher’s aide at Killian Elementary School, and ending her California sojourn in Fallbrook, the avocado capital of the world. She left her new home after only six months to perform a singular service to her daughter Megan and her family. Megan had two young children ages 3 and 15 months. Her husband Joe Kiehl was in medical school and she had Lou Gehrig’s and could no longer care for her family. Karen took care of Megan’s family until she passed away and then until Joe finished Medical School. He received residency at Primary Children’s Hospital and Karen and Dan purchased a home in Centerville, UT where she continued to nurture the children until Joe married Marnie Smith.
Karen was a beautiful, strong, elegant woman. A wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She was known as an excellent cook and renowned for pies, the best pie crust, ever. Her children and grandchildren were the light in her life. She was a faithful member of the church serving many callings including Primary President and Stake Primary President. She and her Husband were able to serve a Church service mission together and as ordnance workers in the Bountiful Temple for seven years.
Karen is survived by her by her husband and children, Daniel M. Tanner, Jr. (Myrna AKA Jasmine), Stephen R. Tanner (Stacy), Tiffany T. Mortensen (Max), Monique T. Berglund (Michael), Jason B. Tanner (Jennifer), J. Joe Kiehl (Marnie), 28 grandchildren. Karen is preceded in death by her father, mother, sister Carlotta, brother Ralph and sister JoAnne, and her children, Megan T. Kiehl, Michael David Tanner.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, December 8, 2018 at the Centerville 20th Ward, 210 East 1825 North. A viewing will be held Friday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful and Saturday morning 10:45-11:45 am at the church prior to services.