Karen Smith Soelberg

Karen passed away from heart failure on September 14, 2023. She was the youngest and last surviving child of Thomas Ole (T.O.) and Nina Hadley Smith. She was born June 14, 1946, in Wilson, Utah, and grew up on a farm. She graduated from Weber High School, and then attended BYU for two years where she met and married LeGrand B. Soelberg on October 21, 1965, in the Salt Lake Temple. 

Karen and LeGrand have five children, Karilyn (Doug), Chris (Sara), Kimberlee (Brian), Michael (Tammy), and Teresa (Bryan). They moved several times as their family grew. They lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Coos Bay, Oregon, Granger, Utah, West Bountiful, Utah, and finally in Bountiful, Utah.  

As a busy mom and working as a cook at Viewmont High School, Karen went back to school to earn her nursing degree. She worked in geriatrics at South Davis Community Hospital for 27 years. After retiring, she volunteered at Barton Creek Senior Living Center.  She became friends with many patients and family members over the years. She will be remembered for always being an advocate for the patient.

They enjoyed living in West Bountiful but felt like they needed a little larger home. Karen found their current home while LeGrand was out of town, and she told him when he came through town he needed to stop and sign papers on the house (sight unseen). They have enjoyed living in Bountiful and the ward is fantastic. Since living here, she has become known as the "Fix-it Lady" and the house with the holiday inflatables. She retired in 2013 and spent her extra time doing puzzles, sewing, working on the house and yard, and spending time with family. Karen joined LeGrand who passed in 2020. They have eighteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The family always enjoyed getting together to eat grandma's good food and play games at her home. 

She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was involved in Cub Scouts and earned the Silver Beaver award, served as Primary President with over 300 kids at the time, served in the Relief Society and Young Women presidencies, and many other callings. Her home was always open to anyone who needed a place to stay, especially friends of her children (one who became an "adopted" daughter) and many sleep-overs of the grandchildren.

There will be a viewing Friday, September 22, 2023, from 6-8 pm, at Russon Mortuary located at 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Heights Stake Center at 33 South Moss Hill Drive, Bountiful, Utah with a viewing from 9:30-10:30 am prior to funeral services. The interment will be at the Ogden City Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and this obituary page.