Karen Bartonek Kendrick

Karen Bartonek Kendrick, 89, our mom, grandma, and example of everything good, passed away, peacefully, at 1:54 am, December 9, 2024. She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, her brother Jim and his daughters and is off to her next great adventure.

Most importantly, she is now in the loving arms of her husband, Milt, and her beloved son, Bart, enjoying a long-awaited reunion with family, friends and dear ancestors. She will be truly missed. She will be impossible to replace, but her example and memory will live on in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was cherished by friends, neighbors, and all those that were a part of her life. Oh, how she loved her friends and neighbors.

Karen is survived by her children, Tauna Barton (David) and Brad Kendrick; and nine grandchildren, Josh Barton (Sarah), Caleb Barton (Paige), Connor Kendrick (Kristy), Emma Jarvis (Zachary), Kade Kendrick (Syley), Kyle Kendrick, Seth Barton (Kendyl), Cameron Kendrick (Tayah) and Kiersha Brinkerhoff (Taylor). She has 11 great-grandchildren, Rebecca, Sam, Michael (deceased), George, Joshua, Charlie, Albert, Ella, James, Ira, Wesley and one on the way. Karen was preceded in death by her beloved eternal companion, E. Milton Kendrick; her son, Bart; and her parents, Cloyd and Norma Bartonek.

After they were married Karen and Milt moved to Porter Ave in South Ogden, Utah. The neighbors on Porter Avenue became a giant and tight knit kind of family with lifetime friendships that have endured over 60 years, not just for Karen and Milt, but also for their children and even some of their grandchildren.

Karen worked as a schoolteacher in the Ogden City School District as well as the Anaheim School District. She loved teaching and she loved working with children. She cared deeply about others and was an advocate and partner with her husband in their strong held belief of the importance of education. 

She was a gifted artist and sleuth (Genealogist) of those Ancestors who came from England, Wales, Germany, Scotland, Ireland and Czechoslovakia. The stories and weekly reports of what descendant or departed ancestor she had discovered were epic and she made so many dear friends, from around the globe, as she was sought out for the genealogical expertise. She was passionate about the people, the stories and the lives of those who had sacrificed so much and had left such great legacies of family, faith and endurance.

She devoted her life to her family and was very involved in advocating and supporting her handicapped son, Bart and others with special needs. At gatherings, she could be found in front of the stove, the sink, or sweeping the floors. Her dying wish was that her children and grandchildren would continue the search for her Czechoslovakian ancestors – and she is no doubt making that effort possible on the other side. 

Her family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the untold number of friends (young and old) that were important to her and brought her much joy. The shared love, laughs, tears and support had her constantly telling her children “I never want to move away from here as I don’t think I could ever live without my dear friends and neighbors”. Those associations were truly a slice of “Heaven on Earth” for Karen.

The love, friendships, concern, compassion and service that she received and offered while living in South Ogden was nothing short of miraculous.

Friends and family are invited to honor Karen’s life and memory at either the funeral service or visitations. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Burch Creek Hollow Ward, 720 Nancy Drive, South Ogden. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and Saturday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment at the old family farm that is now the Roy City Cemetery.

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