Karen Buchanan

Karen Hunt Buchanan, 81, passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2015, at her home in Manti, Utah. Karen was born on April 6, 1934, in Monroe, Utah, to Theron and Oranell Cloward Hunt. She graduated from South High School and attended college at the University of New Mexico and the University of Utah. On June 7, 1977, she married Vernon G. Buchanan in the Salt Lake Temple, following the death of Vern’s first wife, Carolynn, in 1976. Karen brought her daughter, Jennifer, from a previous marriage, to join with Vern’s family of six, and they legally adopted her into the family shortly thereafter.

Karen’s life was marked by her passions for learning, service, and people. When she and Vern married, she courageously stepped into a ready-made family and embraced her role as mother and grandmother to a rapidly growing clan. She was loved by her 29 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren, and they always looked forward to her warm hugs and home-baked cookies.

Karen and Vern moved to Manti from Salt Lake in 1990 after Vern’s retirement. Together they built and appointed their home on 300 South; they envisioned a "gathering place" for family and friends, and Karen was attentive to details that would create warmth and comfort for themselves and their visitors. Every year they grew a large garden in the backyard and shared the bounties of their garden with neighbors and family.

She was a talented artist, writer, and storyteller. Karen spent much of the past 25 years in service to the community and people of Manti. She worked diligently alongside Vern for 8 years as they led the project to restore Manti’s Old City Hall. Her artistic touch is evident in the fine details of the restoration and selection of artwork and fixtures. Karen also served as a reporter/staff writer and ombudswoman for the Sanpete Messenger-Enterprise for many years, covering local news and features of Manti and Sanpete County. She might best be described as a "people person". She loved to interview people and write about their lives and interests, always finding ways to make their stories come alive. She made many new friends in the process, and developed a deep love for the people of her community. She was kind, compassionate, and perceptive of others’ feelings and needs, always ready to offer a word of encouragement or a plate of home-cooked food.

Karen was active and dedicated to service in the LDS Church. Karen and Vern served a mission to the England Bristol Mission from 1988-1989. She held many church callings throughout her life, including Stake Young Women’s president for the Valley View Stake, choir director, Sunday School teacher, and compassionate service leader. She and Vern served as temple workers in the Manti Temple two days a week for 8 years. When Vern was called to be the stake patriarch, Karen provided recording and transcribing services for hundreds of patriarchal blessings over many years, even during the past year, until her health began to decline.

She loved learning and was an avid reader. Her bookshelves are lined with an array of classics, inspirational writings, children’s literature, and contemporary favorites. She was an active member of the Manti Ladies’ Literary Club and found joy in exchanging ideas and new titles with the other members, many who became her dear friends. Music was another one of Karen’s loves. She loved to sing and participated in her ward choir, and always appreciated and encouraged the musical talents of others.

Karen is survived by her husband, Vern, and their family members: Julie (Brent) Ross, Gayle (Richard) Boyle, Karl (Kate) Buchanan, Jan (Que) Christensen, Merrilee (Scott) Buchanan, Scott (Celeste) Buchanan and Jennifer Buchanan. Many grand and great-grandchildren. Siblings include: Douglas (Charlene) Hunt, and Joan Varner. Preceded in death by her parents and sisters: Winone Leivo and Susie Winegar. Karen also leaves behind dozens of nieces, nephews.

The family would like to thank the hospice team from Inter-mountain Healthcare and the many friends, family members, neighbors, ward members, and care providers who cared for Karen at home during her final weeks and provided meals and support to Vern. We are all deeply grateful.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. in the Manti 6 ^th Ward Chapel, 295 South Main Street, where friends may call on Wednesday morning from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m. Interment with a brief graveside service will be at 3:00 p.m. in the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, 3401 E. Highland Dr., Salt Lake City.

Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guest book www.maglebymortuary.com

Visitors are kindly requested to refrain from using scented perfumes or lotions because of family members’ chemical sensitivities.

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