Eugene Loren Karren

Gene was born on 11/17/1966 in Vernal, Ut, son of Nadine Lucille Jeffery Karren, and Cleveland Lee Karren.

He graduation from Westminster High School in Colorado 5/26/84. He enjoyed ROTC which gave him a respect for the military. He also attended University of Colorado and broad casting school.

Gene joined the Marines and finished basic training in 1/4/89 in San Diego, California. He was deployed to Norfolk Naval Station in Virginia as a Lance Corporal.  He attained sharpshooter badges in rifle and pistols, the achievement metal and certificate of commendation. After leaving the service in 2/17/91 he returned to Layton, Utah to be near family.

He excelled in the private sector, working in the audio-visual field as well as learning the craft of becoming a meat cutter.

It was then while working for Fred Meyers he was sent to help open a new store in Boise ID that would send his life in new direction.  He was transferring his personal insurance at a local State Farm agency where he met the love of his life, Laura Salzwedel. He later married her and her son Evan Salzwedel on 10/16/1998 and never looked back.

He was a man of many talents, owning his own audio-visual company where he would design and install high end systems. Some projects included The Temple Hoyne Buell Theater, Gold’s Gym, Idaho State Police statewide road/monitoring systems, JR Simplot board room systems, US Immigration visual information for WA, CA, ID and Florida. This meant a lot of travel, so after several years he returned to meat cutting to be able to be home every night with his family. He made a lot of good friends at Albertson’s and Paul’s Market stores over the years.

Whatever Gene set out to do in life, he would accomplish. He’d research and analyze, look at the pros and cons then set up list of ways to make it happen.

In early 2019, he started looking to do something else he might enjoy and decided to become a truck driver. He paid for a 4-week course, studied, got great marks in the driver’s seat, and received his CDL; endorsing doubles, triples, tanks and hazardous materials. He went to work for a great company, Animal Supply Company in Meridian ID. Loved it, 3 days on and 4 days off with a route that went from Idaho to Montana and back again. His work ethic and easy-going nature, he easily made friends with fellow employees and clients alike.

Gene loved God, having read through the entire bible 11 times in various versions. He had started to study Greek and Hebrew to get a better understanding of what was being said. He was devoted to his wife, family (grandkids) and friends; he had kept in touch with friends from his younger days, still a lover of a great rock concert; Rush being his all time favorite. Son Evan remembers the Rush concert at The Gorge in WA, it was the perfect family vacation. After leaving the Marines he spent a lot of time in the outdoors, hiking, rock climbing, camping. His family would always joke about if anyone needed anything camping, Gene would have it in his backpack, ready for any situation that arose.

Gene was always willing to lend a helping hand in any capacity to anyone that needed it. He always stashed 5.00 in his wallet; in case he saw anyone, who may need it more. He was a pay it forward type of guy. He was humbly his own man, comfortable alone or in a crowd, ready to try any new adventures life sent him. The world was definably a better place when he was in it, and he will be sorely missed by many.

Eugene is survived by his wife Laura Salzwedel, their son Evan Salzwedel (Neyva) grandchildren, Owen, Kyree, and Evangeline Salzwedel Boise, ID. His parents Cleveland L Karren and step mother, Elaine Roper Karren Jensen, UT; Mother Nadine Lucille Jeffery Karren, Batavia, NY, brother Paul D Karren (Karen) Cocolalla, ID, half-sisters Julie Kakazu (Jason), Draper, UT, Rhiannon Euren (Justin), Batavia, NY, step brother Tony Serrano (Carrie) Layton, UT, step sister Trena Metz (Emil) Vernal, UT, uncles Duane Karren, SLC, Ut, Leo Karren (Patricia), Maser, UT, Kenneth Karren, SLC UT, Delbert Jeffery, aunt Nyla Jeffery, NY, many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Proceeded in death by his grandparents, William and Roberta Karren, and Bob and Lucille Jeffery, and Uncle Dave Karren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at the Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, Boise. A committal service with Military honors will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.