Jun 22, 1940 - Jun 25, 2014
On June 25, 2014 Karen’s guardian angel came to her one last time and kissed her forehead. She then gently lifted Karen’s eternal soul and carried it to heaven where she presented it to God for his loving care. Karen was born on June 22, 1940 in Billings, Montana, being the youngest of three daughters of Clarke and Gertrude Carpenter. Her mother died when Karen was just three years old. She, and her two sisters, were raised by their father in Billings and she graduated from Billings Central Catholic High School in 1958. After high school, Karen attended Barnes Business College and Powers Modeling School, both in Denver. From there, she ventured to California where she met her future husband, Conway Barlow, on the campus of San Jose State College. Karen and Conway were married November 18, 1961 at Holy Rosary church in Billings. While her husband’s profession, 32 years with the Federal Highway Administration, led the family to many locations throughout the country, they finally moved to Carson City in 1978. Karen’s “career” was very demanding yet equally rewarding. She was a “stay-at-home” mother taking care of her family and raising two lovely children, Holly and Brett. Though her job kept her extremely busy, she still found time to pursue her many interests. Karen was in a daytime bowling league, she loved to crochet and was an avid reader often finishing at least one book a week. In later years she also found time to be a “pink lady” at Carson-Tahoe hospital and finally, she was an accomplished businesswoman. Karen was an Avon representative for nearly 30 years, making “Preseident’s Club” for total sales in 27 of those years. Karen was preceded in death by her father, Clarke, her mother, Gertrude and her older sister, Arlene Supola. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Conway; daughter Holly, son-in-law Matt, grandsons Peirce and Bryce, Brennan of Scottsdale, Arizona; son Brett, daughter-in-law Leslie and their children Shelbie and Julian of Reno, Nevada; and her sister, Barbara Hoppel of Laurel, Montana. People can pay their last respects at a visitation for Karen at Walton’s Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, 5 to 7pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated and services held at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at 10:00am. Burial will follow at Lone Mountain Cemetary. If you wish, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Karen’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.