Karren (Bowles) Haslam

On Sunday, June 28, 2020, Karren Bowles Haslam, devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away at the age of 83 in the comfort of her home. She leaves behind her husband and true love of 64 years, Don Haslam and their legacy, which includes four children and their spouses, 16 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren.

There will be a private service for her family and close friends later in July to celebrate and honor her life. We are deeply thankful for her life and for her example.

Karren was born on April 9, 1937 in Logan, UT, to Rufus Vincent Bowles and Myrtle Karren Bowles. Karren’s early years were spent in Logan until the family moved to Salt Lake City, where she lived for the next several years, while making many lifelong friendships. She and Don graduated from West High School where they would return regularly for reunions. She met the love of her life, Don, for the first time at a baseball game at age 12, and they were married on April 6,1956.

Their devotion and love for each other is one of the great blessings which they leave for their posterity. One cannot talk about Karren without speaking of Don, because they were true partners in every way.

Karren would say that her greatest accomplishment as a mother was her 4 children, Kristy Ann (Keith) Bergsten, Bradley Vincent (Debbie) Haslam, Steven John (Diane) Haslam, and Lisa (Sam) Pyeatt -- all living within the Albuquerque area. In addition to her own precious children, Karren provided a loving home and guidance for many others.   She was dearly loved and adored by her nieces and nephews with whom she had a loving relationship.

Don’s employment brought him and family to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1969, which became their permanent home.  Although Karren’s main job was raising her family, she also worked at various business firms, including House of Fabrics, American Furniture, and others which contributed to the family income.  Don was a naturally gifted salesman.  It was these skills which would bring him and his family to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he would achieve much success over the many years in the medical hospital supply field until his retirement.

After the family had been raised, Karren was able to work alongside Don much of the time over the years, which led them on many wonderful adventures in their motorhomes. These trips often included one or more grandchildren as ‘special guests,’ and became the source of many lasting memories. Some of their favorite vacation spots were Puerto Penasco, Mexico, Pismo Beach, California, and Priest Gulch, Colorado, where they would spend many of their summers. These trips were often the gathering-spots for others within their growing family to come and join their grandparents.

Karren, along with Don, loved gardening and always had beautifully manicured yards -- a love which has been passed down to their children and grandchildren. Additionally, they were often found at various sporting events or special performances, in support of their many grandchildren or great grandchildren who lovingly refer to them as GiGi and Gramps.

Karren was a great example of love and service to her family and friends through the many years.   But as the years followed, Karren herself began to face an ever-increasing number of challenges as her health began to deteriorate.  It is now those same people whom Karren had cared for and served during her earlier years, who now stepped forward and began to pay back to Karren with the same kind love and caring.  Although we are at this moment in time separated from Karren, her beautiful legacy will continue to be a loving presence and influence in the lives of those she leaves behind.

Karren was preceded in death by her parents, Rufus Vincent Bowles and Myrtle Karren Bowles; three sisters, Alice Bowles, Cleo Plowman, ad Lucille Bowles; a brother, Dale Bowles; and two grandsons, Eric Haslam and Paul Haslam, in whose company we are certain, is bringing her great joy.

Karren was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.