Karen Bradford

Karen Ruth Kimball Bradford, our sweet momma, gramma, and sister, passed away on Tuesday September 13, 2022, age 79.

Karen was born June 28, 1943 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ralph Kimball and Marie Seegmiller Kimball. She spent her first two years of life living with her mother and grandmother, only meeting her dad for the first time, at age 2, when he returned home following World War II. Karen grew up as the big sister to two precocious boys, named Steve and Randy. The three Kimball kids went on many adventures involving mud, snakes, and forbidden creeks.

Karen was a ballerina, notably dancing several different parts in the original Nutcracker ballet, as directed by Willam Christensen, Mr C. She also studied ballet at the University of Utah. She was a talented writer, painter, and singer, and leaves behind a wonderful collection of paintings, stories, and poems.

Karen attended Granite High School in Salt Lake City, UT, where she participated in pep club and edited the school yearbook, The Granition. As a sophomore, she met Larry Bradford, whom she courted throughout her high school years. They were married July 27, 1962, and brought 5 magical children into the world. Karen and Larry enjoyed 53 years of marriage.

Karen was a champion for people with developmental disabilities. She created a private non-profit corporation, called Guardianship Associates in 1991, to fill a need in the state for professional legal guardianship services, to people with developmental disabilities. It was the first of its kind in Utah, and remains the only non-profit guardianship agency in the state.

She is survived by her children: Mark (Michelle), Mathew, Melissa (Mike Wood), Joel, and Jennifer; 14 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She is also survived by her two brothers, Steven Kimball (Margot) and Randy Kimball (Becky), nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband Larry, her parents Ralph and Marie Kimball, and her son-in-law John Sanchez.

Funeral services will be held on Monday September 19, 2022 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 12154 S 3600 West in Riverton, Utah; viewing from 10:00 to 11:45, with funeral at 12:00 pm. Internment at Redwood Memorial Estates in West Jordan, Utah.