Karren Hannig Leslie passed away on June 7, 2024, at her home in St. George, Utah, at the age of 99. She was born on Sept. 30, 1924, in Washington, Utah to Joseph and Sopha Prince Hannig. Karren was a loving, energetic, youthful person even at 99.
She is survived by her daughter Debra J.Thomson; her sons Chris L. Leslie (Marie), Lance A. Leslie (Soya) and her “adopted” daughter Nieu Lana Nguyen along with 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. Karren was preceded in death by her husband Frederick L. Leslie, her son Kenneth F. Leslie, a granddaughter Tessa Sophia Leslie and her son-in-law,Terrell A. Thomson.
Karren attended Washington Elementary School in Washington, Utah, and graduated from Dixie High School, St. George, Utah, in 1942. During World War II, Karren worked in San Diego, California, at Consolidated Vultee Aircraft (Convair) as a “Rosie the Riveter,” and at North Island repairing Catalina and Coronado airplanes that had been damaged in combat. S
he met Fred Leslie while she was working at Convair. They were married on Jan. 7, 1945, in Yuma, Arizona. They made their first home in San Diego but later moved to El Cajon, California, where they spent the rest of their married life. They were sealed in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Los Angeles Temple on June 25, 1960. When Karren’s first three children were in school, she went to Grossmont College in El Cajon, California, and graduated with her Licensed Vocational Nursing degree. She went to work as a nurse in the labor and delivery unit of Grossmont Hospital. She worked there for over a year when she found she was expecting another child. She always said working with those newborns made her wish for another baby. Her youngest son Lance came to the family, and she quit working to take care of him. She later became a distributor for Forever Living Aloe Vera products, but her primary labor was being a devoted wife and mother to her four children. After her husband Fred passed away, she moved back to St. George, Utah. She loved St. George and the warm climate.
She is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She faithfully served in many callings in her ward and stake. Karren loved to shop and had a passion for her garden and flowers. She loved to travel and was thrilled to visit Europe, a place she never thought she would go. Her last trip was a week before she died when she visited Vail, Colorado, for her granddaughter’s baby shower.
Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. (viewing from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to the service) on Saturday, June 15, at the Knolls Ward Chapel, 3860 S. Bentley Road, St. George, Utah.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to click here to sign Karren’s online guest book.
Photo Gallery
