As a girl, she was an A student and a Brownie Scout, the first of a lifetime of groups and service organizations she would belong to.
Early on, camping and fishing trips with her family instilled in her an appreciation of the outdoors, and Karen was an enthusiast of Indian lore, joining the Boy Scouts’ Order of the Arrow as a teen and pioneering their admission of women.
In the 1960s, she attended the University of California, majoring in business. Not one for the wilder activities of the times, Karen’s most fond recollections are with her big brother, Jim, seeing musicians and entertainers performing in local coffeehouses.
Karen was a lifelong member of the sorority Beta Sigma Phi, whose motto, “Life, Learning, and Friendship,” perfectly captured her personal values.
Karen was a devoted wife and mother: She led her boys’ Scout troops on campouts and drove them all around the Southland, never missing a single sports or music event, as well as taking whatever supporting role was needed for the family business.
Karen often showed her love through gifts — especially food — including holiday treats of sandbakkels and lefse from the Norwegian heritage she took pride in.
In the 1990s, Karen and her family found a new home in Battle Ground, where she continued supporting her sons’ activities, earning the nickname Mama Bear while chaperoning BGHS drama students on a trip to Ashland.
Karen was irrepressibly social: She worked in hospitality, and in her retirement she enjoyed cribbage club, singing karaoke, her church groups, sorority events, stage plays and local hangouts such as the Moose Lodge, Emanar Cellars or Irby’s. She loved everyone and was loved by all. She never missed an opportunity for wordplay and always had a twinkle in her eye.
Karen left this earth as only she could: under a beautiful blue summer afternoon sky, filled with music and the Spirit.
Karen was preceded in death by her beloved brother and both parents.
She is survived by her former husband, their three sons and their families, including five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
A celebration of her life is planned on Saturday, March 21, at 1 p.m. at Cherry Grove Friends Church in Battle Ground.
All who loved her are welcome to come and share memories.
