Karen Bolton Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Karen Annette Bolton. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at the age of 76.

Karen was the third child born to William Wallis and Lois Layton Shay. She was born 5 minutes after her twin sister Kathy on February 29, 1948, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kathy and Karen enjoyed the title of “Leap Year Twins”. They had one older brother at home but over the years Karen would become the big sister to 5 younger sisters and 4 younger brothers. Karen was the first to get married and give her parents the first grandchild.

Karen was always a hard worker. Growing up she was happiest working outside in the garden. After graduating from Las Plumas High School in Oroville, CA, she moved to Utah. Her first job was at The Hotel Utah and she later worked at Hotel Newhouse. She worked at a cabinet-making shop, learning how to glue wood, which she really enjoyed. She worked as a cashier at 7-11. She was a night watchman for Pinkerton Security. She was able to get a job working at Granite School District doing janitorial work at a few different schools and worked there for 20+ years.

She always wanted to be a mom and when she had Will she was so happy. Will was the light of her life. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for him. She loved being able to read to him and teach him things. She also loved being Ian's grandmother.

Karen always made time to help others in any way that she could. With a family as large as ours, there was always someone who needed a ride somewhere, a little help or advice and she was always there. When her father died in 1981, she opened her home to her mother to live with her and Will. She took care of her mother as she aged and was there when she passed in 2017.

Karen will be lovingly remembered by her son Will, grandson Ian, siblings Russell (Judy), Nancy (Johannes Ruegner), Lynn (Dean Farrington), Patrick, Mary (Terry Ewell), and Brenda Zobell; along with sisters-in-law Sharon (John) and Peggy (Frank) and brother-in-law Bill (Susan) McCrindle. 32 nieces, nephew,s and their families, as well as cousins and dear friends. 

Karen was predeceased by her parents, William and Lois Shay; five siblings, her twin sister Katherine and sister Susan; brothers, John, Frank, and Mike and brother-in-law Don Zobell. 

Funeral services will be celebrated on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 12:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 7925 South 2700 West, West Jordan, Utah.  You may visit with the family at a viewing prior to services from 11:00 to 11:45 AM.  Interment following services at Memorial Redwood Cemetery at the same address.