Karen Alma Benn

Karen Alma Benn, age 57, died Wednesday, February 1, 2012 in Moapa, Nevada. She was born September 23, 1954 in Cedar City, Utah to Harry and Irene Benn. Karen lived her early years in Moapa the moved to Layton, Utah in the foster care program before graduating from Sherman Indian School in Riverside, California. She married Finley John, Jr., they later separated after having four daughters; Nicole, Valerie and twins Nadine and Cynthia. Later, Karen met her soul mate Leo Bushhead and had her only son Clay. Life revolved around her children but she found an endless love when she had grandchildren. Karen was outspoken and loved to play pool. She enjoyed her outdoor expeditions, like pinenut picking and walking in the hills, camping and making cultural crafts. She really loved finding arrowheads, petroglyphs, opals and grinding stones and the finest rocks in Moapa. Karen went to school to be a beautician and florist. She worked in the finance department for the tribe until she could no longer work. Toward the end of her life she was placed on dialysis. After 3 years she was tired and entered into peace surrounded by all her children after mother Irene Benn's death. Survivors include three daughters and one son: Valerie (Brian) Jenkins of Neddles CA; Nadine (Conrad) John; Cynthia John; Clay Bushhead all of Moapa, NV; five grandchildren; one brother, Virgil (Shirley)Benn of Zuni, NM and one sister, Raphella Spute of Moapa, NV. She is preceded in death by one daughter, Nicole John. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 3 p.m. at the Moapa LDS Chapel. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the chapel. A traditional Indian Sing will follow at the Moapa Tribal Building with Interment at dawn in the Moapa Indian Cemetery.