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Karen Stratton

March 14, 1942 - October 28, 2024
Visitation
Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers
6025 82nd Street
Lubbock, TX 79424
Friday 11/8, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Service
Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers
6025 82nd Street
Lubbock, TX 79424
Saturday 11/9, 10:00 am

Karen LaRee Stratton, age 82, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 28, 2024, at Fountain Hills Assisted Living in Lubbock, Texas.  She was born March 14, 1942, in Prescott, Arizona, to Nello and Dorothy (Bates) Scott.  After high school, she attended BYU on a music (singing) scholarship.  She later became a licensed cosmetologist. She married Lorum H Stratton in the Mesa Arizona Temple on March 13, 1964.  After graduate school, they moved to Lubbock Texas in 1969 where Lorum became a professor of Spanish at Texas Tech University for 50 years.

Karen loved to travel and learn about other cultures and during her lifetime, she visited many places in the United States, Mexico, England, France, Germany, Portugal and especially Spain. They lived in Seville Spain for 6 years and travelled extensively.

Karen was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She had many opportunities for service and served in many callings throughout her life.  She especially enjoyed working with the youth of the church, especially the young women from ages 11 – 18.

Karen worked for the Department of Commerce – Census.  She was hired by Teters Floral, an international silk flower company, and was a buyer and supplier for their many stores in the West Texas area for over 20 years.

Karen was an amazingly creative person with talents in singing, catering, cake decorating, and floral arrangements. She made over 100 beautiful wedding cakes for her church girls, family, and friends.   It is a toss-up as to whether she was a better floral arranger or cake decorator.  She has made thousands of floral arrangements ranging from small to large.  One of her arrangements was displayed in the Lubbock Texas Temple.

Karen was the consummate daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt.  What a legacy of love and service she has blessed us with.

Karen is survived by her husband of 60 years, Lorum, four children – Scott Weldon Stratton (AnnaLisa), and Lance L Stratton (Anna), and two Texas daughters, Shelley Nettle (Steve), and LaRee Karren and spouse. They have 9 grandchildren, Alex (Zack), Cameron (Laura), Zachary (Emily), Tyler (Megan), Sydney (Calvin), Parker, and 3 other grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her brother Howard (Darlene) and sister Martha (Roger) and Sister-in-Law Sally and many nieces and nephews and other family.  Her parents, Nello and Dorothy and brother Gary predeceased her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Lorum H Stratton Endowed Scholarship at Texas Tech University.

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Visitation
Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers
6025 82nd Street
Lubbock, TX 79424
Map
Friday 11/8, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Service
Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers
6025 82nd Street
Lubbock, TX 79424
Map
Saturday 11/9, 10:00 am

Karen LaRee Stratton, age 82, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 28, 2024, at Fountain Hills Assisted Living in Lubbock, Texas.  She was born March 14, 1942, in Prescott, Arizona, to Nello and Dorothy (Bates) Scott.  After high school, she attended BYU on a music (singing) scholarship.  She later became a licensed cosmetologist. She marriedContinue Reading

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Nicole Shumway left a message on November 9, 2024:
Love this family and we are grateful to have known and been blessed by Karen Stratton. Watching the funeral brought to mind many special memories as a youth and the blessing Karen was to Niki and to so many others. Both of us were recipients of a beautiful wedding cakes that were baked with care and represented her love for us and others. We will always be grateful for her talents, energy and love of service and hope that we can honor her memory by doing likewise. Stratton family, know that we love you and are thinking of you and this difficult time. Niki and Sterling
Don and Dixie Gilchrist left a message on November 7, 2024:
TO: The family of Karen Stratton-- (From Don & Dixie Gilchrist) We just received a message from our daughter, Deborah Gilchrist Jones, which indicated that Karen Stratton had just passed away. She had been one of Deborah’s Young Women’s teachers and was remembered by my wife Dixie and I for the numerous times that she and Lolita Dalley had helped us with open houses at the LDS Institute of Religion. She and her family had also helped us at Deborah’s wedding reception which was held in Salt Lake City at the LDS Business College where I (Don Gilchrist) was employed and where Karen served up the wedding cake. We learned from her biographical sketch, found in Alice Jensen’s recent book about Mormon Pioneers in West Texas, that Karen had actually made many cakes for those living in the Lubbock area. That is a witness of her disposition to give loving service. Since learning of Karen's passing, we have reflected on the many pleasant memories we have of her and your family.
Jill Hardin Jensen left a message on November 5, 2024:
Karen was a great example to me as a youth. I loved her YW lessons, craft days, and birthday brunches with croissants! She used her talents to bless the lives of so many and she used her laugh to lighten heavy loads. Prayers go out to all of her family.
Pete & Melissa Smith, Pat & Sam Smith, Zach & Emily Nettle left a message on November 4, 2024:
In memory of Karen Stratton, and with our prayers for peace and comfort for her family and friends. We know she will be greatly missed.
Purple Florist's Choice was purchased for the family of Karen Stratton by Pete & Melissa Smith, Pat & Sam Smith, Zach & Emily Nettle. Send Flowers
Liz Hildebrand left a message on October 30, 2024:
Dearest Stratton Family I am deeply saddened by the loss of your loved one. I knew Karen through her husband, Dr. Lorum Stratton, a professor in the CMLL Dept at TTU. He was very dear to me, which means she was very dear to me. Karen was one of the kindest, most faithful person I have come across in my time in Lubbock. She will be greatly missed.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
RoseAnn Porter left a message on October 30, 2024:
Thinking of you and yours. Our love and prayers go with you through these next difficult adjustments. One memory, that has always stuck with me, is where we were at a stake youth activity. The youth were supposed to make it 'through life' in the cultural hall and back to the Relief Society Room which represented the celestial kingdom. They were to choose who they would follow to get there. You of course, could change who you followed, but you never knew when the grim reaper would come for you. So some 'lives' were shorter than others. Karen was dressed up to the 'nines' as a fortune teller. Huge bangle earrings, scarves, coin belts, scarves, bracelets up both arms, and more scarves. It was a fantastic job, as she knew how to do so well. I thought to myself, I know I'm not supposed to follow her but I sure want to, just to see what she does. I'm sure she'll be the most fun! Which, of course, was the point of the entire exercise. What ere thou art, act well thy part. I'm glad she was really on the right team. Karen always made me smile.--RoseAnn
Lake Ridge Chapel & Memorial Designers left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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