Karen Tippets

Karen Joy Allen Tippets, 70, from Orem, Utah, passed away on April 29, 2019 following unexpected complications from surgery. She was surrounded by family who loved and adored her as she left her home on earth.

She was born July 27, 1948 in Provo, Utah to John S. (Jack) Allen and Betty Lou (Bird) Allen. She attended Grandview Elementary school and Dixon Junior High before her family moved from Provo to Orem. After finishing middle school at Lincoln Junior High, Karen attended and graduated from Orem High School in 1966. She was incredibly social, an avid snow and water skier, and participated in dance, Tigerettes, and attended LDS seminary.

Karen’s father was the owner of Allen’s Market in Springville, Utah where she worked in the bakery department from the age of 16. She attended Brigham Young University where she met and fell in love with her sweet husband, Lewis Tippets. They were married June 30, 1967 in the Salt Lake LDS temple and have shared their lives together for over 51 years. Karen supported her husband while he finished his schooling at BYU and their first child, Lori (Boyd), was born. They moved to Grand Junction, Colorado for four years while Lewis finished his CPA certification.

Opportunities arose back in Utah for employment in 1973 where her second daughter, Traci (Scown), and two sons, Michael and Cameron, were born. She was a brilliant mother and found her greatest joy in raising her children.

A creative spirit and love of music and performing prompted Karen to become very involved in church and community activities for many years. Roadshows, Relief Society, PTA and church socials, dance recitals, Christmas programs, and even parade float building all kept her very busy. Everything she put her hand to was top-notch and beautiful. She was the family “poet laureate” and was always writing poems and songs for others and helping someone with clever ideas. Her handwriting was unique and beautiful and a hand-written note from her was a treasure. She had a fabulous sense of style and was always one of the best-dressed ladies in Utah County.

Family camping trips and traveling (especially to Hawaii) became her favorite memories. Supporting her girls in competitive dance was her passion. In recent years she discovered the joy of watching BYU sports and cheering on the Utah Jazz alongside her husband.

Karen was a gifted entrepreneur and owned a dance studio, a wedding and floral design company, and a gift shop at University Mall in Orem. Several of her best friends gathered weekly and the infamous “lunch bunch” lifted and supported each other for many years.

Karen’s kitchen was the center of laughter and love throughout the years and her mashed potatoes and gravy, chocolate chip cookies, and peanut brittle were legendary. Her sense of humor will be remembered by all who knew her (or who received a Christmas card from her over the years) and even earned her the nickname (and license plate) “Thrill” from her son-in-law! Her grandchildren (19) and great-children (3) adored her and loved seeing their “spunky” little grandma in the stands at dance, music, sporting events, birthday and family celebrations.

Karen’s love of her family will be her legacy. Her devotion to her parents, siblings, and children would be what she considered her greatest accomplishment.  Although her most recent years were filled with health challenges, her Christ-like love and service will be imprinted on the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Karen is survived by her husband Lewis, children Lori (Dave) Boyd, Traci (Cortney) Scown, Michael (Lisa), and Cameron, her parents (John S. and Betty Lou Bird Allen), siblings John (Tricia) Allen, Cynthia (Robert) Nelson, Michelle (Ryan) Davis, sister-in-law Jan Allen, Dennis Tippets, Mark and Wendy Tippets, 19 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Allen and sister-in-law, Dianne Tippets.

Viewing to be held on Sunday, May 5, 2019 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Sundberg-Olpin Funeral Home, 495 South State Street, Orem, UT.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 6, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel at 865 West 1000 North, Orem, UT. A brief viewing will also be held at the chapel from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral services.

Her loss will be felt deeply by many but we know we will see her again, standing straight and tall and waiting to welcome us in Heaven with open arms.

Interment Orem City Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.