Born: Friday Oct-29-1943
Died: Saturday Jun-20-2015
Funeral: Wednesday Jul-01-2015

Morrison Funeral Home
& Crematory
188 S. Hwy 24
Rupert, Idaho 83350
Contact and Directions

Karen Lee Wahlquist passed from this life on June 20, 2015.  Karen was born October 29, 1943 in Sydney, Nebraska to John O'Conner and Marie Searles.  Karen grew up in Sydney, Nebraska, and graduated from Sydney High in 1962 where she was active in band, orchestra and dancing. She went on to attend Ricks College graduating in the spring of 1966 and then to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.  She touched a lot of lives over the years through her preschool and daycare, as she served in the Boy Scouts of America where she was awarded the Silver Beaver, and also as she worked with the elderly as the Activities Director at the Burley Care Center and as a Manager at the Beehive Assisted Living Center.  She was anxiously engaged in doing family history work and missionary work as a member of the LDS church.  She enjoyed serving as a temple worker in both the Boise and Twin Falls temple. Karen married Dale Wahlquist on August 30, 1966 in the Idaho Falls temple and they were married for 48 years.  They have 6 children and 21 grandchildren. Karen is survived be her husband Dale, her children Karl Wahlquist (Sudha), Leslie Cleere (Rob), Keith Wahlquist, Wade Wahlquist (Christina), Jennie Massengale (Gary), Carrie Baron (Jason), 20 grandchildren, and also her mother Marie Sain and her brother Lloyd Searles (Kathy), both of Gurley Nebraska.  She was preceded in death by her father John  O'Conner, her stepfather Dewey Sain and a granddaughter Ruth Wahlquist.    Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at the Burley West Stake Center, 2420 Parke Avenue in Burley.  Burial will follow in the Pleasant View Cemetery.  Friends may call Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 at the Morrison Funeral Home, 188 South Hwy 24 in Rupert and Wednesday morning from 10:00 until 10:45 at the Church prior to the funeral.