Carole Jean Stephan

Lifelong Gresham resident Carole Jean Stephan passed away on February 18, 2011. She was 68. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 22 from 10 AM to 5 PM at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home. A celebration of Carole’s life will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, February 23 at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home followed by a committal service at Forest Lawn Cemetery at 1 PM.

Carole was born April 14, 1942 in Gresham, Oregon to Harold and Harriet (Douglas) Barr. She loved Gresham and had fond childhood memories of Powell Boulevard being closed on snow days. She and her friends would spend the day sledding down the hills of Powell Boulevard and Wallula Avenue. Carole graduated from Gresham High School and attended Mt. Hood Community College for two years. She worked at various banks for 30 years. It was at Clackamas County Bank that she met Clark Stephan. Clark and Carole were married on May 28, 1988. This May would have been their 23rd anniversary.

Carole loved gardening and kept a beautiful garden at home full of flowers, her favorite flower being the pansy. After retiring from her career in banking, she happily assisted Clark with his landscaping business for several years. Carole loved children. She ran a daycare in their home for a few years and later worked at a daycare in Gresham.

Carole enjoyed a wide spectrum of creative projects. In addition to gardening and landscaping, she liked to refurbish and refinish furniture. She twice restored a rocking chair that had been in her family for years. She also loved arts, crafts, drawing and painting. She even once painted a mural of an elephant on a wall in her friend’s home.

Carole loved bunnies and had several pet bunnies. She also loved “the girls” – her two cats, Bindy and Sassy.

Carole is survived by her husband, Clark Stephan of Gresham, OR; son, Ryan Dudder and his wife Tig of Las Vegas, NV; grandsons, Dominick Dudder and Kyle Dudder of Las Vegas, NV; brother, Bob Barr of Cheney, WA; and sister-in-law, Cecelia Monroe and her husband, Ed of Gresham, OR.

Memorial contributions may be sent directly to the Stephan family.

Arrangements under the direction of Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, Gresham, OR.

The following letter was written by Carole's son, Ryan and read at her service...

Dear Mom,

As I think back over my 37 years I know how fortunate I am to have had you as a mother. I remember when you came home from the Timbers game when I was 3 and stepped on my blue police car, breaking off the lights. I know it was not your fault, that one is on me, and I should have parked it in its official government assigned parking spot. I remember going to the Timbers games and even some of the practices so long ago. I remember you caring so much for me you even coached my soccer team when I was in middle school.

I remember all those times in the car quick stops would need to be made and an arm would always fly across trying to protect me, whether it would have worked or not didn’t matter. My favorite car trip was the time we went down the Oregon Coast; I think I even missed school that week. This trip is why I love going to the beach. All the rock formations you let me explore helped to build my love of nature. The Trees of Mystery and I think Wildlife Safari were also included on that trip. Wildlife Safari: where I experienced my first, and probably last, elephant flatulence. I know not one of my friends were able to tell that story.

I remember learning how to drive. This first started with Grandpa Barr when I was in 2nd grade in the old fishing wagon. Honestly, you should have kept better track of what he was doing with me. Once it was actually time for me to learn how to drive, I can remember driving down 282nd and the horn on the Cherokee blowing on its own. Once you were done yelling we had a good laugh at all the middle fingers I received from the other friendly drivers.

I remember how shocked you were 15 years ago when you found out I would be a father. However, more than shock there was excitement. Sugar and Pumpkin have never felt anything but love from you. The joy you had when I would talk about the boys was always something I looked forward to hearing. I know you were not pleased that we moved 1000 miles away, as you frequently told me, but I think you knew it was so I could find success and I always wanted to be back home.

My last memories are of being by your side, holding your hand, and trying to not let you have too much water at once. During this time I learned just how devious and quick you were, and you also showed us how much strength you possessed. No one questioned who was in charge. And even in your time of need, one of your top concerns was making sure I received my birthday card.

Above all, I remember how you loved me for me. You allowed me to venture out on my own to take chances, always assuring me I had a safe place to return. You supported me in sports, music and making difficult decisions. Thank you for always being there.

With love, Ryan