In the early morning hours of October 15, 2023, Karen Cobbley exchanged her walker for her angel wings and returned home. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, GG, sister, cousin, aunt and friend.

Karen began her earthly journey on Halloween day in 1946. She was welcomed by her parents, Pearl and Orvil Lim, and older brother Gale. Eventually, another brother, Gary, and sister, Judy completed the Lim family. She grew up in Riverside, Idaho on their family farm where she learned the value of hard work and developed her love of animals. Karen's dad was her hero, and she idolized her mother. She often shared childhood stories, and it was easy to feel the love and respect she had for her parents.  Karen attended Snake River High School. However, after meeting a certain handsome young man by the name of Terry one night while out with some of her friends, she transferred to and graduated from Blackfoot High School.

Karen and Terry were married on November 27, 1965. They began their life together in Blackfoot and welcomed daughter, Lauri, in 1966, and son, Danny, in 1968. They remained in Blackfoot for a few years and then lived briefly in Idaho Falls while Terry completed an electrical apprenticeship.

Because they were both country folks at heart, they knew they did not want to remain in Idaho Falls.  Eventually, they found a perfect place for their family and settled on a small farm in Rigby in 1977.  Karen's love for the 4H program was one of the reasons they chose this property, and she was active as a 4H leader for many years. Lauri and Danny were always involved in 4H and Karen was a great support to them. She taught the kids to work hard and always expected them to help with all the daily requirements of life on a farm. They took care of a variety of animals. They always had a good dog. They raised one really mean turkey, rabbits, chickens, pigs, sheep, and cows. They milked the cows and Karen strained and bottled the milk and sold it to many customers, delivering it on schedule, no matter the weather. One winter, even though the roads were impassable because of snow, Karen was determined to get the milk to their customers, and so she organized a plan. They loaded the milk bottles into a small trailer and hooked it onto a snowmachine. The kids rode in the trailer in order to keep the bottles secure as Terry bucked through snow drifts on the country roads. And everyone got their milk on the regular schedule– thanks to Karen.

She was also actively involved with the Democratic party. She hosted lunches and created several floats, spending many hours meticulously placing napkins in chicken wire.

Even though the family was busy with school, work, and maintaining their little farm, at Karen's insistence, they still spent most weekends camping somewhere. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed the beauty of nature. She always wanted to get 'the rig' ready and go somewhere.

Karen worked in a variety of jobs. She enjoyed the people she worked with and was a reliable and hard worker. Her favorite job was at Jones' Meat. She became an expert in almost all aspects of the processing plant. She took orders and organized the crews, and no one could wrap meat as quickly and perfectly as she did.  She even recruited her grandkids to come to work with her, and while they liked getting paid, they didn't enjoy that work as much as she did. She retired from Jones in 2012.

Retirement gave Karen and Terry more time together. They enjoyed camping trips with family as well as traveling to spend weekends with close friends. They enjoyed the slower pace of a simpler life–well, as simple as living on a farm can be. There are always chores that need doing; fences that need fixing and weekly irrigation, to name a few. As the years passed, they began to realize that they could no longer manage the place that had been their home for 46 years the way it needed to be taken care of. After many long conversations, they made the decision to put it up for sale. In August, they found a new place they could agree on. Their little farm sold, and in September they began packing up to move into a brand-new home that was well suited for this chapter in their life story. As they began settling in, it became clear that they had indeed made the right decision. The house was perfect for them. Karen kept busy organizing and decorating, and she loved their beautiful new home. But, unfortunately, sometimes the happily-ever-after ending we all hope for gets cut short.

Karen would have turned 77 on Halloween. So, perhaps you are wondering—-Was she a 'Trick or a Trea'?  The truth is —she was both.  Karen had a very colorful personality. She was opinionated and bossy, and always said exactly what was on her mind– without mincing words. Sometimes she was short on patience. She could be very stubborn and was always hell-bent on doing things her way. But, as Terry told us a few days ago, "Karen's bark was always much worse than her bite!"

On the flip side, she had the ability to find joy in the small things. Watching the birds as they would visit the feeder outside the living room window was something Karen always enjoyed. It didn't matter if it was a fancy Blue Jay, a Robin, or even just a small Sparrow; they all delighted her. It also made her happy to see cows or horses grazing her pasture. Even though she grumbled about them, she got a kick out of the barn cats that adopted Terry and she even named every one of them. Karen liked baking and made and sold plates full of delicious Christmas treats for many years.  She enjoyed cute crafty things and there was not a holiday she didn't love. Her home was always welcoming and decorated according to the season. She liked playing the lottery. She was a price-comparing shopaholic. She loved going for drives, talking on the phone, and spending time visiting with her friends. Each morning, she checked the computer. She enjoyed the beautiful photos and interesting facts that her home page shared daily. She diligently checked Facebook and always clicked the like button on everyone's posts. She appreciated visits from extended family and friends. She liked sharing stories about the good old days. She took special pleasure in playing cards with her family on the weekends and was known as a ruthless competitor at her favorite card game, 31. Of course, we all knew, she'd charge us 2 for 1 if we ever needed to borrow a quarter from her.

Above all, Karen loved and was proud of her family: Terry, her Husband of nearly 58 years; her children: Lauri and Bryan Jacobson and Danny and Jackie Cobbley;  grandchildren: Trapper and Mistee Jacobson, Ashlie and Matt Smith, Kristin Jacobson, Jordan Luce,  Ivan and Chelsi Linderman-Hurtt, Hank and Lacy Grover; great-grandchildren: Orion, Mercee, Lexie, Mason, Austin,  Emma (Little Pearl), Jiler, Lumyn, Ember, Sloan, Lucy, Ivie, Liam, Bodee, Tyce, Cruz;  and her extended family: siblings, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, Aunts, and Uncles.

Amidst the sadness we feel with Karen's passing, we truly find comfort in thinking about the beautiful reunion she had with her loved ones who were all there waiting to welcome her home. Her parents, Orvil and Pearl Lim; her father-in-law, Max Cobbley; her grandchildren: Trapper and Mistee Jacobson; and many other family members and dear friends. What a grand celebration that must have been!

Rest easy Karen. We love and miss you. We will hold you in our hearts until we meet again!

Private family services will be held at a later date. Cremation is under the direction of Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. Online condolences may be sent to www.coltrinmortuary.com.