Karen Wiese

Karen Marie Jensen Wiese, age 82 of Brigham City passed away on Tuesday March 26th 2019, at Maple Springs Nursing home of causes incident to age. Her sweetheart of 59 years to the day was by her side. Undoubtedly her mother, father and brother in law Floyd were there in a reunion beyond measure to welcome her home. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and "Aunt Rie." She had many lifelong friends and made a profound and deep impact on her community and students as a local teacher. She was born in Brigham City, UT on November 25, 1936 the second daughter of Minnie Ida Hanline and Frank Peter Jensen. She grew up in Brigham City in a little white house on Main, before the majestic tree line could be seen and the roads remained unpaved. Many special memories were made in the home with her mother and father, her sister and the Jensen cousins. Those memories would go on to form new traditions and memories through the generations as the family would gather at the home for the annual Peach Days celebration and parade. Their home was a favorite place where everyone was welcome. She attended elementary school at the old Lincoln building on First West. While she was young, her older sister by eight years met and married Floyd Kling. Karen being the youngest of the trio, Floyd became her lifelong friend and protector. She often referred to him as her brother. Evenings in the Jensen home you could find little Karen and Floyd down on Grandma's floor playing with paper dolls. Karen graduated from Box Elder High School, where she was on the debate team, and also participated in the Peach Queen Pageant. President Boyd K. Packer was her seminary teacher. Karen attended and graduated from Utah State University, majoring in Elementary Education. She had a special love for and worked with special education students on campus. It was while in Cache Valley that a small town Idaho boy who had moved to the Valley out of prompting would steal her heart on a blind date. "I'm going to marry him," she would go home that evening to tell her roommate. She married Lynn H. Wiese in Brigham City on March 26, 1960, together they were blessed with a beautiful daughter Lori. Grandma was devoted to her career and strived to make a difference in the lives of each and every student. She was known to be strict, but students will fondly remember the love and nurturing they received in her classroom. Most evenings she could be found laboring over a lesson plan for the next day. Trinkets and gifts of appreciation often lined her desk at home and school. Over the course of her career she taught in Sandy, Mountain View, and Bunderson Elementary. For a short while the family moved to Parowan, while Lynn worked in Cedar City. While there Karen taught primary and was active in the community, including making a float for the Parowan parade. She enjoyed their time in Parowan and often fondly recalled family walks in the red foothills, and skiing at Brian Head with Lynn and Lori. She worked at Box Elder Bank after returning from Parowan. Karen returned to teaching at Foothill Elementary, where she was instrumental in directing students in the Young Astronaut Program and the computer lab. Karen and Lynn both retired in the spring of 1994. After retiring she could be found in the yard pruning and caring for her flowers. She had a special love for roses a passion she shared with her father Frank. She loved to escape into a good book and spend time with her husband and cats. During this time she would also enjoy time spent with her sister. They would go out to lunch and to get their hair done each and every Thursday. Karen enjoyed genealogy and Spanish indexing. Throughout her life she enjoyed traveling and would often take trips with "the girls" to various destinations. Her favorite being Park City. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband and family. Journeys were made by motorhome to Canada and the Oregon Coast. She and Lynn frequently went to Hawaii, they were also able to travel with Lynn's work to Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, as well as Florida, in conjunction with her position with the Young Astronaut Program. Grandma's last months were spent in Maple Springs Memory Care Unit were the family would once again gather. The family would like to thank the Brigham City staff who so generously cared for her in her time of need. She is survived by her husband Lynn of Brigham City; daughter, Lori (Brian) Nawyn of Hyrum; grandchildren, Garrin (Brett) Judd of Hyrum; Mallorie (Rick) Norman of Lehi; Josh Nawyn of Cottonwood Heights; Maggie Nawyn of Hyrum; and her great grandchildren, Jennah, Abbie, Keghan, Emma, Asher and Lizzie; sister Grace Kling of Brigham City. Also her special niece Holli (Jim) Ames of Perry; nephew Scott Kling of Brigham City. She was preceded in death by her mother Minnie, father Frank and brother-in-law Floyd. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 29, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. with a viewing from 11:30-12:30 at Gillies Funeral Chapel, 634 East 200 South, Brigham City. Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery. Send condolences to www.gfc-utah.com