Karen W Scott

To view Karen’s service click here .

Melva Karen (Wheeler) Scott, a gentle and quiet wife, mother, and grandmother passed away at her home in Ririe, Jefferson, Idaho, on 21 August 2024. She came into this world about five minutes to one on the afternoon of 3 June 1941 in a cabin next to her grandparents’ home in Rigby, Jefferson, Idaho, the second child and daughter of Oscar Searl and Melva Evelyn Hunsaker Wheeler.

During the first three years of her life, the family moved several times between Rigby, Pocatello, and Idaho Falls until settling in Ririe in 1944. She attended grade school and high school in Ririe, graduating from Ririe High School in 1959. Further education included graduation from Ricks College in 1961 with an Associate Degree in Business Education; then on to Brigham Young University (Provo) to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education and History in 1963. On 16 August 1963, she married Larry D. Scott in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Growing up she and her sister Ida worked for several farmers in the Ririe area during potato harvest. While Larry was finishing his degrees at BYU, she worked for Fred L. Markham, Architect, and the BYU Home Study office. During the Spring of 1968, she taught typewriting and general business at Bonneville High School for a little over a semester. For several years, she worked part time during registration time in the Financial Aids Office at Ricks College. She served on several Boy Scouts of America National Camp School and Junior Leadership Training Staffs along with her husband. She and Larry served on the Island Park Scout Camp Staff of the Teton Peaks and Grand Teton Councils for several years.

Karen loved her time of service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served for over 20 years in ward and stake Primary Presidencies. While at BYU, she served as the secretary in the BYU Fourth Stake Relief Society with Sister Stella H. Oaks as President. She especially loved the time she was able to serve in the Idaho Falls, Nauvoo, and Rexburg Temples. She was able to serve five missions with her companion in the California Arcadia Mission, Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission, Nauvoo Temple, Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial (Sharon, Vermont), and Church Headquarters Mission (Church History Library).

Over the years she has created and donated hundreds of quilts, crocheted and knitted items to Primary Children’s Hospital, veteran’s homes and hospitals, and humanitarian projects. Members of her family and community have been blessed by her sewing abilities dresses, suits, wedding dresses and accessory items. Family history was her passion. Several family history books and individual family histories have been shared with her family members.

She is survived by the following: her husband and best friend, Larry D. Scott; son, Paul N. (Nico) Scott, The Colony, Texas; Grandson, Caden Paul Scott, Texas; Grandsons, Jacob and Gideon Hayner, The Colony, Texas; sister, Renee (Gene, deceased) Payton, Idaho Falls, Idaho; brother, LaMar (Laurel, deceased) Wheeler, Ririe, Idaho; sister, Lanna (Brent, deceased) Bennett, Tremonton, Utah; brother, Ryal (Cory) Wheeler, Midway City, California; sister, Loa (FarrDell)Hayes, Ririe, Idaho; and several nieces and nephews. Karen was preceded in death by her parents and older sister, Ida (Jim, deceased) Streckert.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, 26 August 2024, at the Poplar Ward Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 285 2d West, Ririe, Idaho, with visitation held on Sunday from 6:00-7:30 p.m. and Monday from 9:30-10:40 a.m. prior to services both at the Poplar Ward Chapel. Interment will follow services in the Ririe Shelton Cemetery.

Grateful appreciation is expressed for Doctor Bryan Hammar and the Solace Hospice team of Ana, Stacie, Katy, Melissa, and Jaden for their kindness and support during this special time in our lives. Eckersell Funeral Home is providing the caring and loving services for the family.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the humanitarian or general missionary fund in memory of Karen at https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/.