I first met Karen as a 7th grader at Crescent Jr. High in Mr. Gunderson's beginning band class. She became our marching band Drum Major and was one of the only women, if not the only woman, to field that role in Orange County at that time in our lives. Later, at Savanna H.S., I had the opportunity to be with her in two biology classes. Mrs. Fox had assigned us term projects. On one occasion, for her project, Karen went to the Orange County Animal Control Facility and brought home a recently deceased cat. She skinned and boiled down the cat until she could remove all of the bones. She then re-constructed the cat skeleton in a standing pose. I was amazed by her, but not just one time. With the success of the cat skeleton, on another occasion she did the same for a snake......do you have any idea how many bones a snake has in its body? The answer...... a lot! Anyway, I knew I was in the presence of greatness in that room and that Karen would probably be the first woman astronaut or at least the first woman Surgeon General of the U. S. I was glad when I read her obituary and found that she had entered the field of music instruction. I am sure that all of her students learned well under her tutelage. As with all of our classmates that our no longer with us, I pray for comfort for their family and consider myself lucky to have known those that I have met. Rest In Peace, Karen.
Hi Larry, I just wanted to applaude you for your beautifully written and heartfelt note regarding the passing of Karen. Thank you for sharing those memories.
Thank you Larry for your kind comments about our dear friend Karen. I too remember her from marching band at Crescent Jr Hi in 9 th grade and on through our senior year. We spent many band bus trips together but Karen always seemed pretty serious. It was an interesting story about the cat and snake! Condolences to her family and friends. I look forward to seeing everyone soon at our 50th reunion!
Larry Patterson
I first met Karen as a 7th grader at Crescent Jr. High in Mr. Gunderson's beginning band class. She became our marching band Drum Major and was one of the only women, if not the only woman, to field that role in Orange County at that time in our lives. Later, at Savanna H.S., I had the opportunity to be with her in two biology classes. Mrs. Fox had assigned us term projects. On one occasion, for her project, Karen went to the Orange County Animal Control Facility and brought home a recently deceased cat. She skinned and boiled down the cat until she could remove all of the bones. She then re-constructed the cat skeleton in a standing pose. I was amazed by her, but not just one time. With the success of the cat skeleton, on another occasion she did the same for a snake......do you have any idea how many bones a snake has in its body? The answer...... a lot! Anyway, I knew I was in the presence of greatness in that room and that Karen would probably be the first woman astronaut or at least the first woman Surgeon General of the U. S. I was glad when I read her obituary and found that she had entered the field of music instruction. I am sure that all of her students learned well under her tutelage. As with all of our classmates that our no longer with us, I pray for comfort for their family and consider myself lucky to have known those that I have met. Rest In Peace, Karen.
Andy Bielanski
Hi Larry, I just wanted to applaude you for your beautifully written and heartfelt note regarding the passing of Karen. Thank you for sharing those memories.
Sheryl Stevens (Arends)
Thank you Larry for your kind comments about our dear friend Karen. I too remember her from marching band at Crescent Jr Hi in 9 th grade and on through our senior year. We spent many band bus trips together but Karen always seemed pretty serious. It was an interesting story about the cat and snake! Condolences to her family and friends. I look forward to seeing everyone soon at our 50th reunion!