Oct. 27th 1984
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bjornstad -
Seems so very long ago that you were Doug's teacher at Bowers. It was so fun to see Jon again - he is such an interesting young man. I doubt if I would have the courage to roam around the world like he plans to do. And, bless his heart, we've even received several cards from him. Everyone always promises to send a card, but then never does. Jon did make it to Salt Lake during our beautiful Autumn - two weeks later we had 28 inches of snow in one day - that was a bit much. We told him we'd send copies of our pictures to you for him.
I'm sure you all will worry about him as he roams the world, but my sister has done the same (and possibly for a woman it's even a bit more worrisome) but she says she found nothing but delightful and helpful people wherever she went, and she covered the whole world almost. She said when he gets home he's to write a book about his experiences and make a million dollars. Our best to all of you.
Ruth Jepson and Family
Karen Ann Jepson 1949-2010
Karen Ann Jepson passed away, after a brave battle with cancer, on August 22, 2010. She was born to Wayne Hamilton and Ruth Ida Boede Jepson on December 2, 1949 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated as salutatorian from Wilcox High School in Santa Clara, California. Next, she graduated with a teaching certificate in French and Spanish from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. She was a loyal Cougar to the end.
Karen worked many years for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as the administrative assistant to Elder, J. Richard Clarke. She later worked as an administrative assistant to the Chairman of the Board of Western Airlines, Lawrence H. Lee. Most recently she was a Community Relations Manager for the LDS Church's Family Search Center. She enjoyed her outreach in this assignment with many friends in diverse groups such as the Afro-American History and Genealogical Association and tourism groups across the United States. Many loving colleagues and service missionaries, with whom she worked at the Family Search Center and Family History Library, were Karen's inspiration for her love of family history. Her greatest love was music and singing. Karen was a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 20 years. She treasured her trips and memories of friends in this organization of dedicated musicians. Many will miss looking for her red hair and smiling face that assisted them in locating her on television broadcasts of the choir. While at BYU, she was a member of “The Sounds of Freedom”. Karen was a great patriot and loved her country. She traveled the world with a group of friends, who formed a band, “The Collector's Item”, to entertain the American troops under the auspices of the Department of Defense and USO.
Karen was always willing to share her singing or piano abilities with everyone, whether it be at nursing homes, funerals, church services, or in concert venues. Karen was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many diverse callings such as Young Women's President, Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency, teacher, organist, and ward choir member. Her love and testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ, were exemplified in her many acts of quiet service to any in need. She had a great talent for teaching in an exciting, joyful and loving manner.
The greatest memorial to Karen (or Chicki as she was known to her family and close friends) is the huge circle of loyal friends from around the world from every ethnicity and background. Countless children of friends know her as “Aunt”. Every month she looked forward to her birthday group's parties. Karen was friendly and generous to all.
She will be greatly missed by so many. Karen is survived by her father, Wayne; sister, Barbara; brother, Douglas (Jessica); and five nieces and nephews, Joseph, Jared, Nathan, Natalie, and Andrea Jepson. She was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Boede Jepson. Her eternal family is everything to her. She has a firm testimony, that through the mercies of Jesus Christ, all her loved ones and friends will be re-united in the embrace of our loving Heavenly Father. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 28, 2010, at the Holladay South Stake Center (Holladay 4th/14th Ward Chapel), 4917 S. Viewmont St., Holladay, UT. There will be a viewing at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Dr., Salt Lake City, from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, August 27 and at the chapel on Sat. from 9:45- 10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral.
Published in Deseret News on Aug. 26, 2010
My memories of Chicki are so dear, it's hard to express how much she meant to me. She was larger-than-life, a uniquely amazing friend that helped me make sense of the turmoil of my adolescence. I have thought of her often over the years and will continue to do so in the fondest terms.
Tom Hepner, Gilroy, California