Karen Petersen

Karen was born February 6th 1957 in Los Angeles California. Along with her siblings she spent her childhood summers on Antelope Flats in Moose. Karen played, explored & laughed amongst the sage flats in front of the Tetons. She treasured the greater Teton area more than any other place. Karen had a love of reading & writing poetry, skiing, playing practical jokes & sitting on the deck at Signal Mountain sipping pina coladas with Jody as the sun went down.

At 21 years of age Karen was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. While radiation cured the cancer, brain surgery created life-long challenges for her. Karen met those challenges with fierceness, hope, wit & sometimes despair. Despite these trials Karen never lost her keen-edged sense of humor. Jody & Lisa treasure the laughter & joy of loving Karen.

Karen spent her last months in the compassionate & loving care of the staff at St. Johns Living Center. It is with the deepest gratitude that we thank the living center & Dr. Emmy Knobloch.

We would also like to extend our thanks to the outstanding and devoted staff at the Life Resource Center of Lander Wyoming. They surrounded & supported Karen with love & kindness for several years before her return to Jackson this fall.

Karen is survived by her sisters Jody Petersen of Victor Idaho, Lisa May of Anchorage Alaska, her niece Melissa May & nephew Jackson May, her best friend Laurie Ek of Camarillo California & her loving caregiver Laura Bush of Lander Wyoming. Karen is pre-deceased by her parents Eugene A. Petersen and Betty J. Leith.

Karen, her sisters & her dear friends would like to remind any and all of you who may be reading this of the importance of a Living Will. Words alone cannot express the significance of such a document.

Karen, you fly free at last... ..our love surrounds you.