Karleen Ann Imm Ellis, 65, quietly left her peaceful life on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013, while her four sons embraced her with an abundance of adoration.

Karleen was born Jan. 11, 1948, in Cortez to Karl Imm and Violet Dennison Imm. She was raised in Cortez and completed her schooling here.

She attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, and after marrying, had four sons. She invested her energies in her private businesses; a bookstore and a greenhouse/nursery. She returned to school at Fort Lewis College in Durango before finishing her education at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Utah. Karleen promptly began teaching in Fredonia, Ariz., and found her niche as a special-education instructor.

She loved indiscriminately and purely, and she selflessly gave her time and energy to her children, grandchildren and the many children she patiently loved and taught. The inspiration her family feels because of her lives on within them.

Karleen is survived by her four adult sons: Joel Daryn, Marc Eryn (Tamara), Jared Nathan (Jaime), and Jonathan Neil. She leaves behind eight grandchildren: Jensen, Trent, Zack, Jenna, Connor, Brielle, Kestyn and Jaxton. She is also survived by her younger brother, Mike Imm.

Thank you to everyone who allowed her special light and gentle spirit to touch you and to all who befriended and helped our sweet mother through her life.

A funeral will be held in her memory at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints Chapel in Fredonia, Ariz., at 10 a.m. (PDT) Friday, Oct. 25. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Cortez Cemetery. Arrangements were made with Mosdell Mortuary.