Karen Noreen Davis

Karen Noreen Davis, 85, passed away on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in St. George, Utah. She was born on October 19, 1938 in Rock Springs, Wyoming to Catherine Fowkes and Klaas Ruward. At the age of six, her family moved from Wyoming to Los Nietos, California where she lived until she was 17. She graduated from Whittier High School in California, after which she attended the College at Marinello Beauty School. She married Tye Davis, the love of her life, in February 1990.

Karen was incredibly multi-talented. She had a passion for genealogy. She loved to spend time with her family and friends. She oil-painted, made jewelry, belly-danced, played tennis, and played the saxophone in her high school marching band. She enjoyed gardening, running a farm, and competing in dog shows. But her many abilities didn’t end there. She also enjoyed spending her time on more tedious hobbies such as: making multi-layered candles and carving into them, she did Brazilian embroidery, made macrame hangings, and quilted. Karen had the ability to recreate anything she saw and she is a true inspiration of making her dreams a reality. If there was something she wanted to do, she did it! She found great joy in teaching her grandchildren how to put in the hard work of never-ending farm chores as they spent summers on her farm AND also teaching them the joy in it as they got to ride horses once they were fed, pick out their own fruit trees and harvest the fruit, collect dropped peacock feathers for her vase full of beautiful, colorful feathers, and ending every hot, exhausting day with ice cream. Karen loved travelling. One of her favorite trips was traveling with her sisters and dad back to her dad’s homeland of Holland, bringing to life his stories that she cherished so much.

As with Karen’s many talents, she also worked many different jobs over the course of her life. From working at a doctor’s office, being a hairdresser and selling Avon makeup to spending almost 30 years working at the Bishop’s storehouse and cannery in California. She also co-owned a Shell Gas Station in California that she, her then-husband, and children ran. Once retired, Karen and Tye served two missions in the Family History Center in St. George, Utah totaling about 5 ½ years. 

She is survived by her husband, Tye Davis of St. George, Utah. Her children; Mike (Tammy) Brasseau of Salem, Oregon, Melanie McElroy of St, George, Utah, Linda (Willie) Blocker of Salt Lake City, Utah. Her sisters; Ida of California; Beverly of California; and MaryKay of California; 16 grandchildren, and 39 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, a daughter (Cindy), a son (David), and a granddaughter (Kellie).

Graveside services will be Friday, 23rd of August at 10:00 am at the Tonaquint Cemetery, 1777 South Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah.

 Arrangements were made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary. 110 South Bluff Street, St. George, Utah. 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to share memories on Karen’s digital memorial page at www.SpilsburyMortuary.com