July 16, 1940 – May 17, 2024
Karen Lanell McDowell, born July 16, 1940, passed away on Friday, May 17, 2024, at age 83, at home with her family in Moab, Utah.
Karen graduated high school and junior college two years early. After school, she went to work in aerospace civil defense with top secret clearance. Shortly after, she met Jim McDowell and the two married in 1962. One year later, their daughter Lanell was born and seven more years later they had a son Jim, known as “JR.”
In 1973, Jim passed away and Karen went on to raise the kids. Karen had a love for music that never ended.
In 2000, Karen began her fight against dementia. Around 2012, she became a resident of the Canyon Care Center. We have to say, if you have a loved one in need of assistance you will never find a better place for them than right here in Moab at the Care Center. Thank you so much to all of you there!
Last week we brought Karen home after she was put on hospice so she could spend her last days with her children. Karen will be missed by all and she sends her love and light out to all she knows.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Faye Evelyn VanDyke and Frank Elliott Halladay; her sister, Frankie Fay Staddan; her brother, Phillip Leland Halladay; and her grandson, Alden Dennison.
She is survived by her daughter, Lanell Denise McDowell (spouse Marcus); son, Jim Ross “JR” McDowell (spouse Lori); granddaughter, Keaira Lanell McCarthy; and grandsons, Jim Allan McDowell and Jesus Frank McDowell.Family and friends are invited to share tributes online at www.SpanishValleyMortuary.com.
