Karen Ward Lundahl

Karen Rae Ward Lundahl (78) of Logan, Utah passed away January 22, 2023, surrounded by her children. Karen Rae was deeply committed to her family and friends, and she fought for more time with her loved ones. She was a woman of integrity and kindness who will be deeply missed.

Karen Rae was born in Ogden, Utah, on May 10,1944 to Helen Donaldson and LeGrand Ward. She graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1962, and worked summers at Zion, Bryce, and Grand Canyon National Parks while earning her elementary education degree from Utah State University. One of her favorite memories was serving baseball great Jackie Robinson and his family.

On December 16, 1964 she married her love, James Lundahl, for time and all eternity in the Logan, Utah Temple. Together, they devotedly raised their five children and resided in River Heights, loving their Cache Valley home. For 17 years, she had a rich and impactful teaching career at River Heights Elementary as a second-grade teacher. After retirement, Karen Rae and Jim served a mission in Baltimore, Maryland.

She was a devoted and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; her testimony provided her life foundation. Kindness and connection were among Karen Rae’s superpowers. She touched many lives by showing genuine interest in others and building authentic relationships, making her unforgettable because she made you feel that way. She believed her life trajectory changed when, at the age of eight, she was befriended at a new school shortly after her mother’s death. She nurtured friendship and sisterhood and extended compassion to everyone she met, including her students, people in the mission field, and all who cared for her during extended illnesses.

Karen Rae is preceded in death by her husband, James Lundahl, mother Helen Donaldson, father LeGrand Ward, stepmother Connie Warren, brothers Curtis Ward and Kelly Ward, sisters Elaine Ward and Jill Warren, along with her beloved grandparents and aunts Lorene, Nellie, and Naomi. Her surviving siblings are Adele (Allen) Coray, Lynette Ward, De Anne Warren, Jana Rae Warren and Tyler (Anita) Ward.

Karen Rae is survived by her 5 children Bryan (Helen) Lundahl, Brad Lundahl, Kimberly (Scott) Schettler, Lesa Cook, Merrilyne Lundahl and 17 grandchildren: Andrea, Tyson, Lance, Elizabeth, Breanne, Emma, Sarah, Laura, Haley, Rich, Joe, Audrey, Jasmine, Joshua, Matthew, Ava, great-grandchild James (and one on the way!).

The family thanks Dr. James Pearl, Mom’s pulmonologist of nearly 30 years, along with Dr. Michael Stones and the many caring medical professionals who treated her with dignity and expertise across decades of chronic illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to www.operationsmile.org , an organization mom supported.

A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E Center St., Logan, Utah. Funeral services will held Friday January 27, at 10 a.m. at the River Heights Stake Center (800 S. 600 E., River Heights, Utah) with a viewing prior from 9--9:45 a.m. Interment services will be at the Providence, Utah Cemetery.

Services will be livestreamed and can be viewed via the following link (password: Karen)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84591168650?pwd=QTdOelpIVUFrZTJOd0poRWRrcHI1Zz09