Karen Kay Lamb Rogers
Karen Kay Lamb Rogers, a lifelong resident of Gilbert, Arizona, was called home to heaven on March 16, 2025, shortly after her 75th birthday, leaving behind a legacy of love, resilience, and faith.
Born March 8, 1950, to Margaret Clement and Theone Lamb, Karen was the youngest of nine children. Her brothers, Alton Leroy and Theone Jr., passed away as infants before her birth. She shared many cherished childhood memories with her siblings, Ella Mae, Maurice, Carlene, Joann, Sandra, and Lenny.
A true tomboy at heart, Karen loved adventures with her brother Lenny. She grew up surrounded by cotton fields and “willie worms”, which she came to loathe after a prank by “said brother”. She spent summers on her father’s ranch in Cherry, Arizona, until her parents' divorce, which instilled in her deep admiration for her mother’s strength, raising seven children.
She formed lifelong friendships through her faith and attended Gilbert High School, where she played the saxophone and earned the John Philip Sousa Award. A skilled seamstress, she crafted costumes for over 40 years and had an entrepreneurial spirit, creating handmade dolls and confections with her husband, Jay.
Karen and Jay’s love story began on a church volleyball court. After tracking her down, Jay called for a date and was relieved to find she was the girl he had hoped to meet. They married in the Mesa Temple on March 26, 1970, and built a life filled with faith and family.
Her greatest joy was her family, creating cherished traditions, Sundays dinners, holiday gatherings, and weekends at the cabin. She found peace in her garden and took pride in her handmade creations, from wedding dresses to quilts.
Karen’s faith guided her through life’s trials, including a house fire, battles with cancer, and several near-fatal health scares. She and Jay found great purpose as temple workers for six years. Her family, which includes her husband, Jay, seven children and spouses (Nataani and Kelly, Jason and Katrina, Shannon, Jarod and Sara, Travis and Kristin, Mistie and Jonas, and Trevon and Hillary), as well as her 28 grandchildren, take comfort knowing she is now pain-free, reunited with loved ones in heaven, and watching over them.
Karen’s life was a testament of perseverance, faith, and love. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.
Celebration of Life
March 22, 2025 at 10 am
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
1150 N Lindsay Rd.
Gilbert, AZ 85234
Interment
March 24, 2025 at 9 am
Mesa City Cemetery
1212 N Center St.
Mesa, AZ 85201
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