Karen Rae Travis

It is with immense sorrow and great joy that we announce the passing of Karen Travis, our dear wife, mother, sister, and daughter, of a debilitating stroke. Though our hearts are broken, we revel in the knowledge that she is at peace and reunited with Grandma Johnson and her beloved dog, Faith. Karen was born January 24, 1958, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was a bright, lively child who, because of her Air Force upbringing, had the opportunity to experience many different peoples and cultures. Throughout her life she had a great gift to make strangers feel at ease and create lifelong friendships. She was carefree and enjoyed herself and was always quick with a hug and a husky laugh even when later her body began to fail. To complement her boisterous side, Karen was a woman that felt keenly the Spirit of her Heavenly Father and had a deep and abiding testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Though temple visits were infrequent especially in later years, it was still important to her to have a current temple recommend and keep those covenants. She fulfilled an honorable mission to Birmingham, Alabama, where as luck would have it, she met Elder Travis from California. Tony and Karen courted after their missions and were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on March 17, 1981. Soon after, they began their family and welcomed Liz, Kristine, Jace and Mac into their home. This family is Karen's greatest joy. Nothing made her happier than when they were altogether on her bed, laughing and joking with each other. As her health worsened, they united together and took care of her and for that she will be eternally grateful. Her family is her greatest legacy. The pain is gone, the soul set free, we will be together in the eternity. Karen is survived by her husband, Anthony; daughters, Elizabeth and Kristine; sons, Jace and Samuel; parents, Merrill and Cleo Ricks and Gilbert and Jewel Travis; sister, Lori (Paul) Brockbank and brother, Scott (Caroline) Ricks; sisters-in-law, Judy (Ed) Griffin, and Pam (Sandy) Marquez. Karen also has numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins that she adored. The family would like to thank all the medical staff at the International Medical Center for their care and compassion during this difficult time. A viewing will be held Sunday, January 3, 2010, at the Sandy Central Stake Center, 1050 East Galena Dr., Sandy, from 6 pm to 8 pm. Funeral services will be January 4, 2010, at 11:00 am, also at the Sandy Central Stake Center. Friends may call one hour prior. Internment will be at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.