Karen Gonzales February 3, 1976 - February 9, 2025

We lost our spunky and sassy Karen Gonzales on Sunday, February 9^th, 2025. She celebrated her 49^th birthday on Monday, February 3rd, and became ill the next day. She was not strong enough to fight this time. She quickly declined over several days and was surrounded by family and friends in her last hours as she passed peacefully at home.

Karen was born on February 3^rd, 1976, to Danny (Speedy) Gonzales and Ann Howes Gonzales. She was a twin to Kay Gonzales and was born second. She and her sister spent months in and out of the hospital as they faced countless challenges throughout their life, and their parents learned to navigate their disabilities.

Karen attended Oakridge School in Provo, Utah, where she was voted prom queen her senior year, and she graduated at the age of 22. Karen loved to get out and experience everything! When she wasn’t going, she enjoyed her TV … a lot! She loved having visitors, but only if she was the center of attention! Karen was smiling all the time, and if she wasn’t, she would roll her eyes, as she could sometimes be a drama queen.  She was so funny! All it took to make her laugh was a sneeze or a mishap. She was quite a little flirt and would really turn on the charm around the boys.

Karen was able to be at home with her family her entire life and kept her mother’s company for the last 8 years after losing her twin and he daddy in 2017. Mom and Karen had many good times together traveling, and Karen got to enjoy several new adventures, one of which was being crowned Honorary Miss Spanish Fork in 2020. Axuray Talbot, who was Miss Spanish Fork at that time, and Brandy Sensabaugh, who was an attendant, were also her caregivers. This opened up a whole new world for Karen and she was really able to let her light shine. She loved all of her many caregivers and friends that she made over the years.

We are so grateful for all of the people who served Karen and our family, whether it was the members of her ward who were able to carry her to and from bed after her dad passed away or the countless trainers who worked with Karen over the years. We know that she impacted so many people! Many have been blessed by her during her time here. She was our angel on earth and now she is rejoicing with her twin in heaven.

She is survived by her dear mother, Ann Gonzales, who cared for her tirelessly up to the very end. Her sister, Kellie (Justin) Sanderson of Mount Pleasant, Utah; her brother, Brandon (Rachelle) Gonzales of Riverton, Utah; many nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, as well as a lot of extended family that all loved her dearly. She is preceded in death by her twin sister, Kay Gonzales, and her Dad, Danny (Speedy) Gonzales, and many extended family that were waiting patiently to see her again on the other side!

Services for Karen will be held at the LDS church on the corner of Maple Street and Main Street in Mapleton, Utah (The White Church). A viewing will be held Wednesday, February 12^th, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm and Thursday, February 13th, 20025, from 10:00 – 11:30 am. Her funeral will begin at 12:00pm. Interment will be at Mapleton City Cemetery.