Kare An Short , April 02, 1954 — March 26, 2018

Karen Ann Short April 2, 1954—March 26, 2018 Karen Short, 63, of Halsey passed away Monday March 26th at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. Born in Lebanon to Louis R. and Ina M. (VanLeeuwen) Falk, Karen graduated from OSU in elementary education (it was there that she met her future husband Maurice), and then spent her whole career in the Central Linn School District, the same district that she herself had attended. Most of her teaching years were teaching kindergarten.

Karen was raised on a grass seed farm driving combines, windrowers, trucks and tractors. She was an athlete in school, competing in volleyball, basketball and track. Karen still holds the Central Linn School record for the discus.

Karen enjoyed her grandchildren, hunting, fishing and her students, as well as raising sheep and cattle with her family. She always enjoyed her annual trips to Idaho with her dear friends Tasha Wahl and Dee Lesina. She was a fabulous cook, gardener, and author of an amazing family cookbook.

Her gardens always looked like they came out of Sunset Magazine. Karen was a great woman of strength, wisdom and love. She made everyone feel at home with her hospitality and was always willing to help anyone in need.

She loved and served the community her whole life. Every kindergarten child always felt like they had another mother who loved them and helped them. That’s how she became a legend in the Central Linn area.

Karen shared her love for agriculture with her field trips to her farm which included the lambing barn and a hike to the top of the hill. They would make homemade bread, butter, and ice cream, feed them lunch, and let them be kids. During her long battle with cancer she was always overwhelmed by the support and love of her community.

Karen is survived by her husband of almost 39 years Maurice; sons Schuyler (Monica) and Stuart (Aubrey); grandchildren Maurice, Candace, Amelia, and Bowen; and siblings Aart (Sheri) Falk and Janna (Steve) Moore. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Mindy. A celebration of Karen’s life will begin at 11:30am Saturday April 7th at Central Linn High School.

Contributions may be made to a fund at Oregon State Credit Union in Karen’s name to be used for the Central Linn Memorial Scholarship and the Oregon Women for Agriculture. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Karen Short, please visit our Tribute Store.

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