Karen Doris Smith Merritt

Karen Doris Smith Merritt at the age of 79 passed away at home February 1, 2019. She was determined that when it was time to go she wanted it to be quick and while she was still independent. She was blessed to be able to do just that. She felt that she had lived her life fully and was ready to go at anytime. She had been separated in death from her eternal companion for the past 20 years almost to the day.

She was born October 9, 1939 in Fairview Wyoming to Leo Max Smith and Doris Rich Davis. She was raised on the ranch along with  her older brothers, Dwain and Davis and her younger sister Norma VanScoyk.

After graduation from Star Valley High School, she attended LDS Business College. Soon after graduation she worked in Salt Lake City for the Salt Lake Transfer Company.  During her time in Salt Lake City, she was courted by Jerry Merritt and were eventually engaged to be married. Shortly after their engagement Jerry decided to serve an LDS mission and was called to the Central America Mission. It wasn’t long before Karen put in her mission papers and was called to serve in the Central Atlantic States mission. 

Jerry returned home from his mission before Karen and often said that he was a returned missionary that was waiting for a missionary. After her return they were soon married on May 16, 1962 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They started their life together in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The first few weeks of their marriage they skipped church to sleep in and laze about. After a few weeks they realized they needed to repent and from then on it was rare for them to not attend their church meetings. Much to the chagrin of their children when on family vacations, church was always on the itinerary.  It didn’t take long before they returned to Star Valley Wyoming and bought a corner lot in Afton with a small starter home and an apple orchard.  During their marriage they have lived in Albany Georgia, Bountiful, Logan, Brigham City, and Lewiston Utah and after each move they always returned home to Star Valley.

She loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and had a firm testimony in her Savior Jesus Christ. This was demonstrated by her diligent service in church callings and fellowshipping friends and neighbors. She was a devoted and attentive mother.  She really enjoyed painting, card making and other crafts. She often invited friends over to enjoy some time crafting at her kitchen table.  She loved making small gifts and giving those to friends and family. Last year she made a little birthday gift for every sister in her ward.  She loved serving in the temple, indexing on Family Search, serving on many humanitarian committees and an active member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers. 

She loved having her family come visit and often after they had spent time and had left her alone in the quiet she would wish they would turn around and come back with all their noise and clutter.  

She is preceded in death by her parents, her two brothers, Davis and Dwain Smith, and her husband Jerry Dennis Merritt.

She is survived by her Sister Norma Smith VanScoyk currently residing in Thatcher, Arizona.

Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren:  Daughter, Alicia Merritt and husband Joel Larsen of West Valley City, Utah,Daughter, Valerie Merritt and husband Laron Anglesey of Fairview, Wyoming, Daughter, Jerolyn Merritt and husband Steve Wideman of Hurricane, Utah, Son,  Jeremy Merritt and wife Jennifer Price of Layton, Utah, Daughter, Kern Bee of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Son, Jared Merritt and wife Sandra Vergaray of Good Year, Arizona.

Grandchildren:  Kelly Larsen (wife Amber Evans), Alan Larsen, and Melanie Larsen Kendall (husband Herbert Kendall)  Mindy Anglesey McMahon (husband Tony McMahon)  Jason Anglesey (wife Whitney McFarlane), Trevor Anglesey (wife Rachel Jenkins),  and Nicole Angelsey . Kristi Brosius Plowman (husband Dale Plowman) and Kimberly Brosius Thongrit (husband Nick Thongrit) Tyler Merritt, Amy Merritt,  and Sydney Merritt Larkin ( husband Gage Larkin) Andrew Ball and  Ryan Ball.  Gwenna Merritt, Allison Merritt and Damon Merritt

Great Grandchildren:  Koleea and Kayson Burton, Talon McMahon (Mindy) Jaxon and Evan Larsen (Kelly) Ezra Thongrit (Kimberly)