Karen Spence McLean

Karen Spence McLean, 73, of Rock Springs, passed away Dec. 4, 2016 in Salt Lake City. She had been a longtime resident of Rock Springs and former resident of Laramie and Cody. 

She was born on May 19, 1943 in Salt Lake City, the daughter of Andrew Robertson Spence and Vendla Sophia Huhtala.

Mclean attended school in Reliance and Rock Springs and was a 1961 graduate of the Rock Springs High School. 

She was employed as a business education teacher for Sweetwater County School District No. 1 for 35 years, retiring in May of 2003. 

McLean was a member of First Congregational Church, UCC, SEA, WEA, NEA, Phi Gamma Nu, Kappa Delta Sorority, Wyoming Alumni Association and Sweetwater Retired Teachers Association. 

She was the SCSD No. 1 Teacher of the Year, earned the WBEA Teacher of Teachers Award and was an Arch Mineral Golden Apple Award winner.

She was an active bridge player and Bunco player. 

She served as President of the Rock Springs Babe Ruth League for a number of years and hosted several district and state tournaments. She was asked to be the first female District Baseball Commissioner in Wyoming. 

She co-hosted the Coal Camp Reunions and published coal camp memorabilia books, calendars, and other items.

She held a number of jobs throughout her life, including working as a car hop for Ann and Jim Cummings at the Five Star Drive Inn, secretary in the guidance department at UW, admissions officer to Dean of Students at Western Wyoming College, typing and general business education teacher at East Junior High and White Mountain Junior High and finished her teaching career at Rock Springs High School.  

Survivors include two sons, Robert A. Spence and spouse Marianne of Rock Springs and Garry A. McLean and spouse Irene of Green River; one daughter, Kristin A. McLean and spouse David of Laramie; grandchildren Lennon A. Spence and Noah A. Spence of Rock Springs, step-granddaughter Amber and spouse Jace Stevenson of Rock Springs, Michael and JD Richardson of Green River, Nick and Jennifer Snyder of Laramie; step-great-grandchildren Harlow and Jaxon Stevenson of Rock Springs; one brother, Dr. Robert A. Spence and spouse Susan of Scottsdale, Ariz.; brother and sister in-law Glen and Judy McLean of Helena, Mont.; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, "Ding" and Vendla Spence, her husband Garry McLean, father-in-law and mother-in-law Glen & Maxine McLean, and brother-in-law James T. McLean.

Funeral services took place Tuesday.

The family of Karen Spence McLean respectfully suggests that donations in her memory be made to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, 2000 Circle of Hope Drive, Salt Lake City, Ut 84112, Cowboy's Against Cancer or the Red Desert Humane Society.