Karen Memmott Bingham

Karen Memmott Bingham, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, left this life on September 16, 2022 to join her mother, father, and other loved ones who preceded her in death. Karen passed away after a long and courageous battle with a rare neurological disease, corticobasal degeneration.

See 5 Photos

Karen was born on September 2, 1951 to Clarence and Utahna (Wilson) Memmott in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she lived a happy childhood as the only child of her dear parents.

Karen met Larry John Bingham on a blind date and, after dating for a year, married him for time and all eternity on August 6, 1977 in the Salt Lake Temple. She and Larry went on to have two sons, Gavin and Corey, whom they lovingly raised in the Salt Lake Valley.

A woman of diverse interests and talents, Karen spent her life engaged in multiple artistic pursuits including sewing, quilting, stained-glass, painting, as well as becoming particularly gifted at embroidery. She was also interested in architecture, having studied drafting in college. Karen was educated and obtained great skill as a cosmetologist. As a result of her interests, she spent years providing her sons with convenient in-home haircuts and homemade Halloween costumes (we still haven’t received the bill).

Karen lived a full life and was greatly loved by all around her. As an only child, she knew what it was like to grow up feeling lonely, and, as a result, spent her adult life “adopting sisters;” Karen treasured the meaningful, long-lasting relationships she created with the many great women she met throughout her life.

Karen loved living in Utah with her family and found particular joy viewing changing autumn leaves on long drives through the canyons. Together with her husband as her perfect traveling partner, Karen traveled many places in the world. She was always willing to be adventurous and try any crazy thing her husband was doing like driving dune buggies, riding motorcycles, and even flying in a ParaPlane powered parachute.

Karen was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She, herself, compared her relationship to God as “a patient, tender parent leading me along while I was kicking and screaming all the way.” During her life, Karen served faithfully in callings in the Relief Society, Primary, Sunday School and others. She found particular joy serving as a worker in the Jordan River Temple.

Karen is survived by her husband, Larry, her two boys, Gavin and Corey, and their wives, Lesa (Lowery) and Ashley (Brimhall), as well as many other “adopted siblings” and friends. Karen is also survived by her five granddaughters Noelle, Sabrina, Ivy, Lillian, and Emilia, whom she loved more than anything else. Karen, we love you and can't wait to see you again!

Lastly, Karen and her family want to give special thanks to various friends, neighbors, and especially Karen’s nurses and caregivers at Atlas Homecare & Hospice for the exceptional care and support they provided Karen and Larry during the hardest year+ of their lives. We can never thank you enough!

A graveside service in honor of Karen will be held on Wednesday, September 21st at 3:00 PM at Memorial Redwood Mortuary & Cemetery, 6500 S Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84123.