St. George, Utah - Karen Joyce Cronk, 55, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2012 at her home. She was born March 6, 1956 in Henderson, NV to Margaret Bette Chobotar and James J. Cronk. She is preceded in death by her father on November 5, 1997; her step-father, Gordon R. Russell on March 27, 1993; and her mother on June 5, 2007.

As Karens father served in the Air Force, she lived in Okinawa, Japan for three years and New Mexico for two years before returning to Henderson, NV. She moved to Logan, UT with her mother in 1996 and attended junior high school in Hyrum, UT. She graduated from Sky View High School in Smithfield, UT in 1974. She then moved to Southern CA and relocated to St. George, UT in September 2010.

Karen was an avid reader and a loyal fan of the San Francisco 49er football team. She also loved natures beauty and all cats and dogs that crossed her path. Karen was a "people collector"; touching the lives of everyone she met in a positive way and always giving of her time, energy and love.

Karen is a survivor of pancreatic cancer for 2 ½ years and faced this disease with strength and courage beyond measure which became an inspiration to all who knew her.

She is survived by her life partner, Sara Balandran of St. George, UT; her brothers, Garry M. (Liz) Briggs of Las Vegas, NV and Owen C. (Anne) Briggs of Phoenix, AZ; her sister, B. Marlene Briggs (Aubrey LeBard) of La Habra, CA; "adopted" sister, Lois (Glen) Lee of St. George, UT; and her beloved cat, Tigger.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, prior to services, at 1:00 p.m. both at Metcalf Mortuary. Interment will follow at the St. George City Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Metcalf Mortuary (435) 673-4221.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Karen to the Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT, 84741 ( www.bestfriends.org).