Karen (Littell) D.

Karen Littell, 73, of Livingston, Montana, passed away Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at Livingston HealthCare Hospital. Karen was born November 13, 1943, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Franklin H. and Harriet L. Littell. Karen was baptized on February 25, 1945, and confirmed on May 20, 1956, at Stimson Memorial Chapel, Bad Godesberg, Germany. She received her B.A. in Music from Roosevelt University and her M.S. in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Child Development at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Karen taught Educational Psychology at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after which she made a career as a social worker for the state of Washington. She retired in 2007 and moved to Livingston, Montana, to be close to family and, especially, son Steve. Karen was an accomplished soprano and musician, particularly on the piano, guitar and accordion. She loved to sing Scottish ballads, Greek love songs, Norwegian polkabilly, the comic outrages of Tom Lehrer and beloved songs from the American folk canon. Karen grew up in a musical family and she loved to harmonize with her parents, her brother and, especially, her two sisters, Jeannith Lawrence and Miriam Littell. Her beautiful voice was admired by all who heard her sing. Karens favorite hobbies were reading, walking the woods with friends and her beloved dog Muzzy, and collecting rocks. She loved the mountains, flora & fauna, and waters of Montana, especially the Yellowstone and the Flathead. Donations in her honor can be made to the Sierra Club or to the Stafford Animal Shelter, Livingston. Karen is preceded in death by her parents and her sister Jeannith L. Lawrence and survived by son, Steve Hodgson, sister Miriam Littell, brother Stephen Littell, bother-in-law Duane Lawrence, nieces, Sarah Newton, Rachel Kuntz and Deborah Wilhite, as well as great nieces and nephews and many, many cousins. We will keep her voice and spirit in the deep hearts core. Cremation has taken place at Franzen-Davis Crematory. Memorial services are private.