Johnnie Karren

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Johnnie Raye Whitt Harp Karren passed away peacefully on August 31, 2024 surrounded by her family. Johnnie was born October 28, 1942, to Quata Morris and John Whitt. She was raised in Texas alongside her loving and protective older sister, Linda, who always looked out for her. At the age of 17, she moved to Tremonton, Utah with her mother and stepfather, Charles Harp, and attended Bear River High School. She made many dear friends there and as a result, decided to stay to pursue and complete an English degree at Utah State University. It was at USU where she was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and fell in love with Steven Karren. On July 1, 1966, the two were married and sealed in the Logan Temple. They lived briefly in California and Virginia before returning to Logan to raise their family of six children in a warm and caring home.

Johnnie instilled in her children the values of appreciation, acceptance, and love for one another. Every Sunday morning, the family would gather to prepare a large meal, which they shared with guests, often international students from USU. Johnnie had a passion for learning about different cultures and making new friends. She found these relationships deeply rewarding and played a pivotal role in connecting hundreds of other families in the community with USU international students, fostering lasting friendships.

Johnnie read to her children and grandchildren from a young age and taught them to value life-long learning and education. Volunteering with the Hillcrest Elementary PTA as a “Music Mom” and “Art Mom” she shared her passion for classical music and fine art. As an elementary school librarian, she delighted in sharing her enthusiasm for books with students. She volunteered with Bridgerland Literacy to teach reading skills. With fellow friends and readers she founded “The No-Name Book Club” which has thrived for over 50 years. Johnnie was also thrilled to be one of the first volunteers at the new English Language Center.

Johnnie had a passion for reading travel books and planning adventures abroad, particularly in Europe, where she took several trips with her husband and children. Diverse cultures and the people she met were the highlights of her journeys. Johnnie and Steve also traveled to Xi’an, China, to teach English, where they enjoyed being immersed in a new culture. They dedicated themselves to serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the Chicago employment office, where they coached individuals in their job search.

Her children and grandchildren fondly remember Johnnie as a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She hosted many special activities in her home where happy and lasting memories were created with each other. In her later years, her children and grandchildren lovingly reciprocated her care by visiting and looking after her. 

Johnnie is preceded in death by her parents, sister, husband, and her grandson, Christoph Oppermann. She is survived by her children, David (Shauna) Karren, Laura (David) Walton, Jason (Shannon) Karren, Rachel (Jason) Murray, Emily (Doug) Cox, Maggie (Scott) Buccambuso, 19 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

Johnnie’s family would like to express their deepest gratitude to her loving and skilled nurses, aides, and caregivers, which included many of her grandchildren, Sue Palmer, Angella Campbell, Pam McDaniel, Erin Hyde and the Sunshine Home Health and Hospice team, and the nurses and staff at Autumn Care, and thoughtful friends and neighbors that visited. 

A viewing will be held the evening of September 6, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Allen-Hall Mortuary located at 34 E Center St, Logan. The following morning on September 7, 2024, a viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 am with funeral following at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1260 N 1600 E, Logan. Burial will take place at the Logan Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations to the English Language Center of Cache Valley or the Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection (CRIC). 

Funeral services will be livestreamed and can be viewed via www.allenmortuaries.com. 

Memories and condolences may be shared and expressed at www.allenmortuaries.com.

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