Karen Kay Lechner

Karen Lechner passed away brave and peacefully August 10th surrounded by family and friends - her battle with cancer being her last chance to exude optimism. Karen didn't have bad days or even terrible days.

She did not always measure pain from one to ten. Her scale was good, better, or best - with good being her lowest level. Although she had challenges, she embodied a positive spirit and strength even when those around her were challenged to do so.

Karen was born in Rosemead, California in the fall of 1942. She lived in several homes in Southern California. In Escondido the family lived on a citrus and avocado ranch. Karen began playing the flute and twirling a baton in her adolescent years. She led the marching band down Main Street in Escondido at age four as the mascot and in later years as majorette. The peak of her music career was in 1960 when she performed with her high school marching band at the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, CA. Karen was an avid recreational water skier with her brother and especially enjoyed being out on Salton Sea in the Southern California desert.

Karen graduated with a Bachelor in Accounting from San Diego State University and had a long career as an accountant both independently and for local companies.

Karen met her future husband, Ron Lechner, through mutual family friends. Ron was a Navy-man and on a brief leave when they met and went on their first date. There was mutual respect and determination to be together even though Ron was twice deployed for several months in Vietnam. Their patience and determination proved worthwhile and they married in the winter of 1967.

In their early years of marriage, Ron and Karen lived near the University of Oregon in Eugene where Ron finished his degree and Karen worked as an accountant. In the summertime, they took advantage of the Pacific Northwest's late evenings by taking their small ski boat to local reservoirs for water skiing and fishing. Karen loved the time on the water with Ron.

Karen and Ron moved to Santa Clara so Ron could start a landscape architecture business with his collegiate best friend. Karen continued her work as an accountant for the new business and others in the Bay Area. Karen and Ron moved to Santa Cruz in the early 1980's.

Aside from working, they enjoyed square dancing nearly every week and going to the San Jose Civic Light Opera. Even with the time constraints of raising family and managing successful careers, they found time to be with each other and friends. They especially enjoyed traveling together both locally and internationally.

Karen was a participant of the Elks organization through Emblem Club, Shorebirds, and other supporting roles. She enjoyed helping with bake sales, fashion shows, holiday parties, and being a part of an organization with Ron that promoted so much goodwill to those that need it. Many of her closest friends are a result of the Elks organization. Karen was a passionate contributor to the major projects of the Elks and was so honored to be alongside Ron during his time as Exalted Ruler in 1996-1997.

Karen is survived by her oldest son Sean Lechner of Portland, OR; youngest son and his wife Scott and Karla Lechner of Bellingham, WA; her brother and his wife Jim and Suzy Barth of Huntington, VT; her niece and husband Stephanie and Rob Field of Essex, VT; her nephew Mike Barth of Kingston, NH; in addition to cousins and close friends, especially Darla Belshe of Santa Cruz, CA; Dittmar and Stephanie Jurko of Hamburg, Germany; and Tim and Suzanne Stephens of San Jose, CA.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10am, Saturday, August 27, at the Santa Cruz Elks Lodge; 150 Jewell Street; Santa Cruz.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Santa Cruz SPCA; P.O. Box 3800; Santa Cruz, CA 95063 or Hospice of Santa Cruz; 940 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066.