Karen Marie Davis' Obituary
Karen Marie Davis, 85, of Midway, Utah, passed away peacefully at home on February 20, 2026 surrounded by the love she spent a lifetime giving. She remained sharp and quietly witty until the very end. Just hours before she slipped away, she softly whispered, “hi, baby.”
Born May 21, 1940, in Salt Lake City to Arthur Dean Morrison and Wanda Marie Nielsen, Karen spent part of her childhood in Oakland, California. It was a place that always held a special memory for her, especially the feel of wet sand beneath her feet. She graduated from West High School in 1958 and later attended Stevens Henager College. In 1968, she moved to Heber City, where she married and started her family.
Often quiet and unassuming, a smile and soft chuckle were almost always present. She never needed the spotlight and never tried to stand in it. Her happiness was found in the joy of others - in watching her family laugh, in hearing music fill a room, in gathering everyone close. Her influence was humble but powerful and her warmth reached far beyond what she ever realized. She shared her love in simple, steady ways, and it is that love that will remain long after she is gone.
Karen was music.
She began taking accordion lessons as a young girl, and from that moment on, music became part of who she was. As a teenager and young woman she travelled to competitions and performances in various cities. When she played, especially a lively polka, she did so with such feeling that the accordion came to life. In recent years she played each week with the local senior band. That continued right up until her passing. Music never left her, and through it she made dear friends and filled countless hearts.
But beneath that gentle smile was a little spark.
She loved fast cars. Really loved them. She got her first Corvette in her 20s (a 1957 sea-foam green and white) and her last at the age of 73 (a black on black convertible of course). That thrill never faded; her last daily driver was a black Monte Carlo Super Sport. She taught her kids to love the rumble of an engine, often grinning as she pressed the gas just a little harder than we expected. Every now and then she’d wave and laugh, “I’m outta here!” as she put the pedal to the metal.
Karen was community.
She worked hard her entire life, not loudly, not for praise, but because that’s simply who she was. She kept a beautiful home, tended flower beds that bloomed faithfully, and raised her children with steady devotion and fierce love.
Karen worked at Chick’s Cafe for many years and later at The Wasatch Wave until COVID forced her final retirement at the age of 79. (She’d ‘retired’ a few times but missed everyone too much.) She loved being part of the community. She knew people, she remembered them, and they remembered her.
But the core of her life was family.
When she married Dick in her twenties, she embraced and loved his three children from moment one; she became their second mom. She welcomed every spouse into the family as a son or daughter. Her arms were open and her loyalty was unwavering.
Christmas Eve with the big family and Utes football with only those in red were get-togethers she’d talk about for months. She also cherished evening walk-over visits from Rick and Mandy, grandchildren sleepovers, weekend shopping trips, coffee dates and pizza/movie days. Don’t get her started on Melissa McCarthy comedies or Frieda McFadden thrillers!
In this last year, she treasured time in the “studio” at home with Jake and Gina, and sometimes guest vocalist Jill. There was music. There was laughter. There were stories. There were moments that now feel sacred.
Karen was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. But more than titles, she was present. She didn’t need attention to make an impact. She simply showed up, again and again, and loved her people well.
She is survived by her children: Gina (Jake) Harmer of Midway; Jill (Scott) Webster of Heber; and Rick (Mandy) Davis of Heber; Dick’s children: Debbie (Chad) Jones of St. George; Scot (Rae) Davis of Mesquite; Diann (Lynn) Burgener of Midway; and Gary (Heidi) Atkinson of Evanston; 20 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; and multiple nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Richard “Dick” Davis; her parents, Arthur Dean and Wanda Marie Morrison; and her brother, Art Morrison.
SAVE THE DATE
Join us in Honoring the Life of Karen Davis
Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 1:00 PM
170 Fox Den Rd. Midway UT 84049
Come together to celebrate her life and the love she shared so freely.
Her life was not loud, but it was full.
Not flashy, but deeply meaningful.
And though her voice is quiet now, the music she played and the love she gave will echo in our family forever.
She will be missed beyond words.
What’s your fondest memory of Karen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Karen?
Share a story where Karen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Karen you’ll never forget.
How did Karen make you smile?