Karren Lea Miller, widow of Ellis Miller, passed away peacefully in Rexburg, Idaho on April 1st, 2023. The beloved Mother of 8, grandmother of 31, and great-grandmother of 11 was 81 years old.

On Feb 24, 1942 Karren was born the middle child of five to Arthur and Margarette (Hicks) Malstrom in Murray, Utah. The unusual spelling of her name coming from the local 'Karren's Bread' company. As a teenager the family left Utah for Kalispell then Phoenix and back to Montana where she graduated from Flathead County High school.

Karren returned to Utah to attend BYU where she finished with a degree in Elementary Education. Shortly before graduation, because of an unexpected summer school class, she met her cherished sweetheart Ellis. They married in the Salt Lake LDS temple on Dec 19, 1963.

Karren and Ellis welcomed their first four children while in Tucson, AZ before briefly living in New Jersey. They eventually settled in Rexburg, Idaho when Ellis was offered a teaching position at Ricks College by Henry B. Eyring.

Over the years they became part of the Rexburg fabric. They lived through the flood, nurtured 8 children and she influenced thousands of lives as a teacher (mostly 5th grade) at Adams, Lyman and Madison Middle school.

She was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where she served in a variety of callings in the Cresthaven and Valley View Wards and went on a mission to Morristown, NJ with Ellis after retiring. In her later years, almost every Thursday, Karren could be found serving at the Rexburg Temple.

Karren travelled the World. She went to the ruins of Mexico, the Australian outback, saw the Swiss Alps and climbed the steps of the Parthenon. She visited the concentration camps of Germany and the canals of Italy. On her last great trip she rode a camel to Petra in Jordan and followed in the literal steps of her Savior on the streets of Jerusalem. All of it with her 'Big Purse' in stow.

Her pastimes included embroidery, crafts, gardening, her poodles, the family raspberry patch, FOX News, Anne Murray, reading a variety of books and belonging to Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Her neighbors became her best friends. She adored her family and loved when they returned to the 'Yellow House' to visit; especially after Ellis Passed in 2012.

Karren was born 2 months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, married a month after Kennedy was assassinated and died in her sleep as Ellis took her hand into the eternities. Her life was full of friendship, service, honor, adventure and family. Divine providence followed her time on Earth. Her influence will be felt for generations—her spirit will be missed.

Surviving siblings: Ed and Barbara Malstrom; Annette and Bill Bryant; Nolan and Gloria Malstrom and Sheri and Brad Brown.

Surviving children: Lee Ann and Allen Latham; David Miller and Ryan Lofland; Robert and Jenni Miller; Brett and Heather Miller; Alicia and Tyson Ferney; Janelle and Jeff Reynolds; Brian and Cassie Miller and Tristen and Daniel Brigman.

The viewing will be Mon 4/10/2023 @ 9:30 A.M. with the funeral to follow @ 11 A.M. at the LDS Chapel at 1070 S 2nd East, Rexburg, Idaho 83440

Karren will be interred beside Ellis at Sugar City Cemetery.

Services will be live streamed at: https://my.gather.app/remember/karren-miller