Karen Carlson

Karen Bernice Hudman Carlson, 69, passed away Saturday, June 25, 2016, at her home in Idaho Falls following a brief illness.

Karen was born February 11, 1947, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Jerome and Bernice Dowd Hudman, and was the youngest of ten children. She attended schools in Idaho Falls and graduated from Idaho Falls High School. After graduating, she married her sweetheart, Dennis Lee Carlson, December 30, 1965. They were married 47 years before Dennis passed away July 24, 2013.

Karen’s true passion in life was helping and serving other people. She had a special gift that allowed her to love people unconditionally and see the good in even the most broken of hearts. This gift allowed her to make a tremendous difference in the world around her. Her life was spent selflessly taking care of the sick, working with families and youth in the community who were struggling, and genuinely loving those around her.

Karen loved the Gospel. Throughout her life, she held and honored many callings within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

To Karen, nothing was as important as family. Her greatest joy was knowing that her children and grandchildren were honorable people that strove to follow the Savior’s example. She adored her grandchildren and was very involved in each of their lives individually. They will miss her, everyone needs a Grandma Karen.

Karen is survived by her children, Wendy (Thad) Skinner, Jerry (Jennifer) Carlson, Christina (Benjamin) Brown and Masami (Mike) Smith, as well as 10 grandchildren.　Three brothers, Wes (Delores) Hudman, Sherrill Ray (Marlene) Hudman, Gary (Vanessa) Hudman and two sisters, Patricia Beasley and Shawn Anderson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis; two children, Kari Carlson and Jeffrey Scott Carlson; her parents; and three sisters, Marilyn Arave, Bonnie Chumley, and Colleen Saxton; and one brother, Benson Hudman.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Haven, 2480 S. Yellowstone Hwy, Idaho Falls, ID 83402, or online at http://www.eicap.org/donate., one of many organizations that Karen felt passionate about.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, July 1, 2016, at the Idaho Falls LDS Shamrock Park Ward, 3195 S. Holmes Avenue, with Bishop Todd Stone officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to services at the church.

Funeral Services will be held