Mary C. Karren

Mary C. Palleria Karren, 86, of Vernal, Utah passed away Friday, December 15, 2023. Mary was born at home in Blackfoot, Idaho on June 30, 1937 to Giovanni "John" Baptiste Palleria and Elisabetta Maria Panzarella Palleria. She was the fifth of four living children. As a child, Mary's family moved to Firth, Idaho where she grew up and attended school, graduating from Firth High School. After high school she attended St. Alphonsus Hospital School of Nursing in Boise, ID and graduated with her RN degree. While working on her RN Degree, Mary met Durrell D. Karren and they were engaged. Mary was determined to complete her RN so Durrell waited while Mary went to Kansas to complete clinicals for her degree. Mary returned to Firth and within a 2 week period, she graduated from St. Alphonsus Hospital School of Nursing, married Durrell on August 13, 1960 and moved to Vernal to begin married life. Mary worked as an RN at the hospital, for Dr.'s Spendlove, Stringham and Allen and as a school nurse. The nursing profession was one of her greatest loves and she excelled at it. Mary enjoyed gardening, crocheting, cross stitch, embroidery and playing with her grandchildren. Her handstiching was beautiful both front and back because she learned the art from her mother and the nuns at school. In the years before Durrell passed away, they were able to travel some to Arizona and take a trip across Canada and into Alaska before returning home on the ferry. Durrell passed away on June 21, 2005 in Vernal after almost 45 years of marriage. Mary is survived by her son, Dennis (Cheryl) Karren of Price, Michael (Loretta) Karren of Vernal, her brother John (Barbara) Palleria of Caldwell, Idaho, 6 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who were good to Aunt Mary. Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Durrell; her parents; two sisters, Betty Steffensen and Jenny Allred; and an infant sister Jennie Palleria. A graveside service will be held at 12:30PM Saturday, December 23, 2023 at Maeser Fairview Cemetery. The family will meet with friends and relatives Saturday from 10:30-12:15PM at the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home. The family would like to thank the staff and residents at Beehive Nursing Home in Maeser for their friendship, love and compassion to our mom. Mary had a lot of fun at Beehive and developed some great friendships there. We also want to thank the staff of Canyon Home Care and Hospice, especially Abi, for their kindness and compassion .