Karen Mortensen

Karen Jane Craner Mortensen, our dear daughter, wife, mother and grandmother passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at Madison Memorial Hospital. She was 42. Karen was born January 13, 1975, to Calvin S. Craner and Patricia A. Craner in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She grew up in Idaho Falls and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1993. Karen attended Dixie College in St. George, Utah for two years then returned to the Idaho Falls area where she met and married Michael J. Snarr with whom she had two children, Braydon and Kallyn. She resumed her education at Eastern Idaho Technical College where she received her degree as an LPN. After she graduated, she began employment with EIRMC where she worked faithfully for eight years. Karen and Michael divorced but remained friends throughout the rest of her life. In 2009, after several years as a single mom, Karen reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Chris Mortensen, son of Lonnie and Penny Mortensen. He was a single father of son, Morgan, and daughter, Jocelyn. Soon they were a happily blended family of six. Chris and Karen were married on December 13, 2014. Karen began working for Dr. Richard Nathan at Idaho Falls Infectious Disease Medicine. She was later given the opportunity to serve others at Avalon Home Health and Hospice. Her passion was devoting herself to others in need. She touched the lives of all who knew her, especially her patients and their families. Her co-workers loved her and enjoyed working with her. They were a part of her family. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She enjoyed racing and was a national champion in 2009 with SCCA. She also enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, sports and tennis. She especially loved her family and spending time with them. Karen is survived by her loving husband, Chris Mortensen of Ammon, ID; parents, Calvin and Patricia Craner of Idaho Falls, ID; in-laws, Lonnie and Penny Mortensen of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Braydon Snarr of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Kallyn Snarr of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Morgan (Abi) Mortensen of Shelley, ID; daughter, Jocelyn Mortensen of Idaho Falls, ID; grandchildren, Brynnlee and Adler Mortensen of Shelley, ID; brother, Kevin (Misty) Craner of Boise, ID; grandmother, Marion Lerch of Lancaster, PA; uncle, Gary (Dawn) Craner of Boise, ID; uncle, John Lerch of New Jersey, NJ; aunt, Susan Dickey of Boston, MA; brother-in-law, Todd (Katrina) Mortensen of Woods Cross, UT; sister-in-law, Jody Mortensen of Idaho Falls, ID; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Robert Lerch, grandparents, Ernie and Nan Craner and aunt, Barbara Jane Posey.

Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at the Ammon LDS 8th Ward, 2055 S. Ammon Road, with Bishop Marshall Riggs officiating. The family will visit with friends from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to services.

Memorial Services will be held