Karen Lee Byrum

1957 - 2004

Karen Lee Byrum1957 - 2004

Karen L. Byrum died at the Hospice Facility in Longview, Washington on Friday, May 28, at the age of 47.

She was born in Santa Rosa, California on March 10, 1957, and moved to Clatskanie, Oregon with her family when her father was hired at the Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill at Wauna in 1967. She attended Clatskanie Grade and High Schools, and was employed by Beaver Lumber Mill when she met and married her husband, Mike.

In 1987, Karen's first child, Max, was born, and was followed by the birth of her daughter, Jeannie, in 1991. Once her children were of school ago, Karen became an employee of the Clatskanie School District where she worked as a Special Education Assistant at the Middle School.

Karen was a devoted mother who encouraged and supported both her children's interests

in sports by attending their T-Ball, soccer, football, baseball, softball, and basketball games. She also loved gardening, and was particularly fond of the roses she grew. Always willing to lend a hand or offer a shoulder to others left little time for herself, but Karen, when the opportunities arose, Karen enjoyed listened to classic rock music and reading Stephen King novels.

She is survived by her husband, Mike; her son and daughter, Max and Jeannie; a stepdaughter, Jennifer; her father and stepmother, Max and Phyllis Kendig; sister and brother-in-law, Karol and Casey Rawlings; sister, Kathy Kendig, all of Clatskanie; brother, Fred Kendig of Kalama; and niece and nephew, Heather and Brady Kendig, also of Clatskanie. Her mother, Martha Kendig preceded her in death in March 1984.

A compassionate and caring person, Karen did not wish to cause additional stress and grief for friends and family members, and requested that no formal services be held.

A Celebration of Life will be held this Saturday, June 5th all day long at her home, 18424 Johnson Road.