Karen Falk
Karen Falk

Obituary of Karen Louise Falk

Karen Louise Falk has had a spectacular life - from her birth in the beauty of North Idaho to dancing at the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City. Karen's life has been filled with family, friends, faith, and service to others. She will forever be remembered in the hearts and lives of those who have been the beneficiaries of her love and service. No life is free from adversity, including Karen's. But to say that she met each challenge with grace and dignity is an understatement. Karen Louise Falk weathered all of life in a great way, turning any scars into stars. Her approach to each challenge was met with perseverance and optimism, never giving up, never forsaking what was the best thing to do. Karen's birth on February 4, 1939, in Priest River, Idaho, at her Grandma Louise Keyser's home [now Priest River's Museum, "The Keyser House"] was met with excitement by her late parents, Joe and Elnora. There was always lots going on in the Veltri home with 3 brothers and a sister, and undoubtedly, Karen being the center of it all. Karen's life joined Lloyd Falk's in 1958 when they married in the historic St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Priest River, Idaho. After moving to Pocatello, where Lloyd began his studies at Idaho State University, two sons, Kevin and Gary, joined the family. Karen's life was full as wife, mother, and volunteer. After moving to Idaho's Capital City, where she has lived since 1964, Karen fulfilled her potential as a proud Idahoan, citizen, business woman, and volunteer. She was recognized during her life with numerous awards, including being named a Kentucky Colonel and Portrait of a Distinguished Citizen by the Idaho Statesman. Karen Falk attended Boise State University, as well, and was a proud Bronco. As a librarian at the historic Cole School, and later as the owner of Karen Louise Boutique in Boise's downtown [Old Boise], Karen's civic involvement through the years was nothing short of exemplary. The Boise Philharmonic, The Miss Boise, Miss Idaho, and Miss America Pageants, Junior League of Boise, Old Boise Downtown Association - the list is almost endless. Karen Louise Falk, on her own, raised thousands of dollars for multiple non-profit organizations in Boise and the State of Idaho. Organizing and producing fashion shows, traveling to market, Karen was always up on the latest fashion and style, loving every bit of it. Her personal wardrobe was all Karen - detailed and spectacular. Three things that many will remember Karen for is her love of dance, wine, and parties. Anyone who has ever known Karen Falk will smile at those remembrances. In her later years, Karen enjoyed traveling, from the Sun Valley Jazz Festival to all 50 states, as well as England (twice), France (twice), Italy, Ireland, and other special European destinations. During her volunteer years, she was privileged to judge some 25 Miss America State and Local Pageants. Karen died peacefully December 16, 2017, at the age of 78. She would want to be remembered by all of us as one who lived her life to the fullest. Karen is survived by two sons (extended family), Kevin (Tonya) Falk of Boise, and Gary (Kelly) Falk of Scottsdale, Arizona, four wonderful grandchildren, Taylor, Kylie, Austin (Aubryn), and Hayden, and 3 step-children, Nicholas (Hayley), Michael (Haylee), and Jarod (Taylor Ann) Brown, great grandchildren, Kason and Piper Brown. Karen is also survived by siblings, Richard (Aggi) Veltri, Patricia (Jim) Parkins, John Veltri, and Dennis (Pam) Veltri, as well as many wonderful cousins, nieces, and nephews. Karen Falk was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Falk, her longtime companion Jud Moller of Boise, her parents, Joe and Elnora Veltri, sister-in-law, Teresa Veltri, and nephew, Jay Veltri. A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, December 30th, 1:00PM, at Boise's St. John's Cathedral, 775 N. 8th Street, under direction of Father Antonio. Farewell, Karen Louise Falk, until we meet again…" Well done, thou good and faithful servant!" Please make all donations and gifts to St. Luke's MSTI's (Mountain States Tumor Institute).
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Celebration of Life

DEC 30. 01:00 PM St. John's Cathedral 775 N. 8th Street Boise, ID, US, 83702
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