Karen Vail

Karen Annette Hopper Vail 1941 ~ 2009 Karen Annette Hopper Vail passed away on February 26, 2009 from complications of lupus. Born November 12, 1941 in Martin, Utah to Ray W. And Vilda Bills Hopper. She was raised in Soldier Summit, Utah until the age of 9 and then her family moved to Salt Lake City where she graduated from West High School in 1960. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On July 18, 1963, she married Donald Elmer Vail, who has been her loving and constant companion and caregiver for over 45 years and to this union came three children, 2 daughters and 1 son and 6 grandchildren, who were the light of her life. She was known by many as mom from the neighborhood kids, the Bingham Rodeo Club kids, whom she was their advisor for 13 years, her cub scouts and she was a foster mom to three babies. She was a very talented painter of western and wildlife-themed lamps and ceramic figurines among her many other creative talents. She loved rodeo, camping, hunting, traveling and anything that involved being with her family. She fought a valiant battle against lupus for almost 40 years without ever complaining and was always concerned about others over herself. She was the most loving, kind, compassionate, positive and strong lady, that taught all who was blessed to know her the true meaning of Endure to the End. She is survived by her husband, Donald; children, Terri (Neil) Green, Preston, ID, Jeff (Anna Marie), Erda, UT, Cathleen (Kenneth) Hale, Bloomfield, NM; grandchildren: Shawnta (Devin) Packer, Justin Green, Derric and Tori Hale, Marti Vail, Brandi Carling; brother, Robert (Karen Marie) Hopper; sister, Patsy Furster; sister-in-law, LaRue (Revell) Phillips and many nieces, nephews and special friends who will all miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents. The family wishes to thank the staff of Sunbrook Hospice, especially Jessica, Emily, Marilyn, Tamy, Dr. Willesen, Mike and Alisa, for their loving and compassionate care. Graveside services will be Monday, March 2, 2009, 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 1342 East 500 South. A viewing will be Monday from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road. Karen has asked in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Lupus Foundation, 455 East 500 South LL2, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 or the American Diabetes Foundation, Attn: Memorial Donations, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 or 800-342-2383