Karen Brockbank Wood

On February 27, 2022, Karen Brockbank Wood passed away from complications of Covid pneumonia. She passed away peacefully at home with her husband, children and grandchildren surrounding her.

Karen was born in San Bernardino, California on February 1, 1956, while her father was serving in the United States Air Force as a medical doctor. He used to joke with her that when she was born she was the ugliest baby in the nursery and he had to sneak her out the back door of the hospital.

Karen grew up in the Foothill area of Salt Lake City, Utah. Her father, Carl Lewis Brockbank MD was a family practitioner and had a clinic in Foothill Village. Her mother was Theda May Jackson Brockbank. Karen has two sisters, Janice Brockbank and Eileen Tate, and two brothers, Carl Jackson Brockbank and Paul Brockbank. Their family‘s favorite activity was spending time at Lake Powell on their boat, La Traviata. They were some of the first people to explore the lake as the dam began to fill up. La Traviata was a cabin cruiser and had a large wake which Karen and her siblings learned to waterski behind. She was an excellent waterskier as well as a very proficient snow skier.

She played the violin in high school. Her older sister Janice played the piano and her younger sister Eileen played the flute. The three of them were frequently asked to perform at their local church meetings. She graduated from East High School in 1974. She then attended Brigham Young University for one year. She was then accepted to the University of Utah nursing program. She graduated with honors from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 1978.

On August 30 of 1977 she was married to Gordon Stacey Wood in the Salt Lake Temple. Over the next several years she had four children: Abby, William, Christine and Gordo.

In 1978 she and Gordon moved to Arlington, Virginia. They lived in the DC area for nine years while Gordon attended medical school and residency. Gordon joined the army to help pay the expenses of medical school. After residency the couple moved to Fairbanks Alaska and served in the United States Army at Bassett Army Medical Center until August of 1991. While there, she was cross country skiing on the frozen Chena River and crossed an uncharacteristically thin piece of ice, which broke and she fell through into the freezing river in subzero weather. She was miraculously able to climb out and ski home.

Karen and her family finally settled in Logan, Utah and built a wonderful life here.

Karen coached soccer for many years while her children participated in the sport. Karen spent many days skiing at Beaver Mountain and taught all of her kids to be excellent skiers. She walked and ran regularly to stay in shape and enjoyed being outdoors.

Karen served in her ward as a gospel doctrine teacher, Primary teacher, Young Women’s leader, Relief Society leader, and in other callings. Karen loved to study the gospel of Jesus Christ. She especially loved learning more about her mother in heaven and learning to understand her own priesthood power as a covenant woman. She enjoyed telling her loved ones that during the creation of this earth she was a member of the mountain and grapefruit committees.

Karen loved to read books. On one of Gordon and Karen’s first dates, Karen pulled out a book when there was a break in the conversation and started reading. Gordon thought, “Oh my, I’m not making much progress with this young lady.” When he asked her about it she said “Oh my gosh, I’m at such a good part I just need to finish this chapter.” Karen was an active member of her book club and she enjoyed reading and studying the books they read every month and participating in their discussions. She loved the ladies in her book club.

Karen was an avid quilter for many years and attended many retreats and took classes with her friends and worked on quilts together. Her love of quilting has been passed down to her daughter Abby. Some of Karen’s best friends are the women that she quilted with. We are blessed as a family to have these beautiful treasures to sleep under and remind us of her love for us. She frequently made quilts for the young mothers in her life to wrap their babies in.

Karen was diagnosed with diabetes during her last pregnancy. During the last 15 years, she suffered multiple complications from diabetes including a Charcot joint, diabetic retinopathy, and osteomyelitis involving her feet which eventually led to her having two amputations. She developed renal failure and underwent dialysis for four years. Then she had the blessing of receiving a live donor kidney from her friend and former bishop, Jeff Larsen. Receiving this gift after such prolonged illness and suffering made the next five years incredibly precious for our family. She, and we, did not take for granted each family dinner, each holiday, each time we were able to gather for moments small and large. Jeff truly allowed her to “come back to life” the last several years and the Wood family thanks him and his family for their sacrifice on behalf of Karen.

Karen is survived by her husband Gordon Stacey Wood, and her children Abby Wood Olson, William Gee Wood, Christine Wood Miller, and Gordo Brockbank Wood. She is also survived by her 15 grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings: Janice Brockbank, Eileen Tate, Carl Jackson Brockbank and Paul Jackson Brockbank.

When Karen’s father used to tease her that she was the ugliest baby in the nursery and had to be snuck out the back door of the hospital, he was saying that because she was anything but ugly. Besides having a beautiful appearance, Karen had a beautiful personality. She loved conversation with her friends and family. She had strong opinions about what was right and wrong and she wasn’t afraid to share that with her children. She was respectful of other people and their beliefs. She was kind to her fellow man and wanted to make the world a better place by her actions and example. Within her circle of influence she was recognized as a most beautiful person who positively affected the lives of those she touched. She will be missed by those of us who knew her. 

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Foothill 2nd Ward Chapel, 1450 East 1500 North, Logan, UT. Viewings will be held on Friday, March 4 from 6:00-8:00 PM at White Pine Funeral Services, 753 South 100 East, Logan, UT and on Saturday, March 5 from 9:30-10:30 AM at the church. Interment at Logan Cemetery.