Karen Adele Burningham Begent, age 81, passed away peacefullly on October 1, 2024 at her home in Hinckley, Utah after a courageous battle with cancer. Karen was born on July 18, 1943 to Charles Eldon and Myrtle Adell Hendrickson Burningham in South Salt Lake City, Utah. She had four older brothers and one younger brother. As the only girl, she was very attached to her mom and was also “Daddy’s Little Girl”. Karen enjoyed a happy childhood with loving parents. She loved to roller skate and often skated on the school grounds across the street form where she grew up. She would spond all day on her skates. She also enjoyed traveling with her family to California to vistit relatives.
When Karen was 15, her boyfriend, Brad (just 17), asked her to one day marry him and gave her a ring that he purchased at the drugstore. As time went on, they drifted apart and each ended up marrying other people. However, Karen kept that ring in her jewelry box as a special memento for many years.
Karen married and had four beloved children: Adele, Marie, Allen and Elliot, who were the center of her world and she deeply enjoyed raising. She eventually divorced, but later was remarried to Ralph Carry Brake in 1980. They enjoyed a happy marriage for almost 37 years until his passing in 2016.
Karen enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom. She spent a lot of time camping where her kids and her husband. They enjoyed collecting rocks, especially with her daughter, Adele. Karen was always active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her testimony and activity were very important to her. She especially enjoyed her calling teaching Primary for many years in the Pleasant Green 3rd Ward in Magna, Utah. Karen was also a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. She served as a Captain of a group for 15 years.
A few years ago, Karen received a request to be friends on Facebook from Brad Begent. As her name had changed, she wondered if this man knew her previous identity. After considering the request, she told her dog, Cooper, “Sure. I’ll be friends with my first boyfriend.” and she clicked ‘accept’. As it turned out, Brad did not realize that he had contacted the very same ‘Karen’ that he had given a ring to when they were teenagers. Imagine her glee as she subtly asked him, “Do you remember Karen Burningham?” When he realized who she was, he called her on the phone right away. They were later married on February 10, 2021, and sealed in the Payson LDS Temple on July 12, 2023. They loved the time they had together and he cared for her during her final health struggles.
Karen fought a courageous battle with cancer for over two years, displaying dignity and grace. She was a sweet soul, kind to all who crossed her path. She loved her children, husband, and dogs. She loved her Savior and served Him valiantly. She will be greatly missed.
Karen is survived by her husband: Brad; her daughters: Adele (Rober) Rich, Amy (Mark) Whitfield, Dolly (Paul) Maupin; her sons: Allen (Sheryl) Tenwolde, Bradley Begent Jr.; and her brother: Leon Burningham. She is preceded in death by her parents; 4 brothers; her daughter: Maria Eklund; and her son: Elliot Tenwolde.
Funeral Services were held Saturday, October 12, at 11:00 am, at the Hinckley LDS Church. A Viewing was held 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Burial followed at 3:00 pm at the Elysian Gardens Cemetery, 1075 East 4580 South, Millcreek, Utah. Those unable to attend are invited to view the recorded video of the service.