Raised in the eastern part of Germany known as East Prussia, her favorite activity was spending summers at her Aunt Claudia’s house on the Black Sea. That’s where her love for the ocean began.
She graduated with honors from gymnasium (high school) and went to the Albertas University in Konigsberg. Her studies were interrupted by the start of World War II, and she always regretted never finishing the 4th year of college. Located between Germany and Russia, East Prussia was a war zone, so she worked in Crimea but eventually returned home to East Prussia.
She and her mother were forced to flee their home. They left on foot with many layers of warm clothing in the bitter winter of 1945. They hitchhiked, slept on the icy ruins of railroad stations, faced hunger and death on a daily basis, traded their family jewels for food, and made their way through the cellars of Berlin to Bavaria, which was under desired American occupation at that time.
Through a twist of fate, she loved the sound of the English word “window.” That inspired her to learn English instead of French, which was what all good European girls studied. With the little English she had learned, she started to work for the American Army Constabulary Headquarters in Bamberg, mainly to get ration cards and coal. She learned more English from the attentive GIs in the office, danced the jitterbug, and enjoyed her new American friends under the watchful concerned eye of her mother. Lt. Burton Yount was friendly, bought her first pair of nylon stockings, and gave her chocolates and chewing gum. Their dates took place in the park because, at the time, fraternization with Germans was not allowed. His persistence paid off. It took six months for the American consulate to grant permission to marry a German and to immigrate to the USA as an enemy alien. She was very sad to leave her mother alone; she wasn’t sure if she would ever see her again (her mother did come to the USA two years later).
Karin flew to New Mexico, incredulous over the massive size of this country, and married Burt on January 17, 1948, in Albuquerque. Captain Yount retired after 20 years in the Army, where they were fortunate enough to travel the world, settling in San Diego in 1961.
Her favorite thing to do was spend time in her secret garden, swim at De Anza Cove where a tree was planted in her honor for her 90th birthday, enjoy family and friends, and sun at La Jolla Cove and Shores. Not one to sit on the sidelines, Karin lived her life enthusiastically and joyfully. She was involved with the Pearl Harbor Survivors, Military Officers, Veterans Museum, and was a proud founder of the War Brides of World War II Association, a national organization.
Many memories were made in the Taos Drive house over 58 years; and it is also where she took her last breath on November 3, 2019, surrounded by family, friends, her cats, and in view of her beloved garden. Fun fact: she is buried in her custom made wetsuit, which was a gift for her 93rd birthday.
Karin is survived by her three children Tom, Janette (Barry), Pat (Tony), grandchildren Aliza, Seth, Ben, Jessica, and Natasha, as well as six great grandchildren.
“I never regretted coming to this safe and beautiful country, and will always remain a great patriot of the USA.”
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