Karen Lynn Jefferis

Born to parents Betty and Melvin Bills on September 6th, 1955, Karen was the youngest of three children. Karen and her two older brothers, Dennis and Don, grew up in Orland, California where the family were active members of the Orland Federated Church. Karen was a rambunctious child with a fire for swimming–her favorite stroke was the butterfly–and she would often be found at the local pool, competing in swim meets. After completing her lifeguard

certification Karen began giving swim lessons at the town pool and at the pool at the Bills family home. To this day many children who grew up in Orland remember learning to swim under her watchful eye.

Karen studied history and political science at Chico State University, earning her tuition by line cooking at Fundenberger’s Hamburger and teaching swimming lessons in her family pool. During her time in college, Karen met the love of her life, her apartment neighbor David Jefferis, a young Dead Head from the San Francisco Bay Area. Karen and Dave shared a love of live music, regularly attending rock festivals throughout their early years together. Karen graduated from Chico State in 1977 and married David in 1980.

After 9 years of marriage and many adventures together, along with their beloved Old English Sheepdogs, Jackson and Lizzie, Karen and Dave embarked upon their next adventure: delivering 3 beautiful, vibrant daughters to the world, Kelsey, Sarah and Meghan. Karen quit her job as manager of Johnson’s Family Shoes to raise her darling family. Karen kept her passion for the water while raising her children, hosting pool parties and providing swim lessons to all of the children on the block at the family’s idyllic home in Clovis, CA. In 2001, Karen and company settled in Upland, CA where she happily continued teaching swimming lessons for new friends and family.

As her daughters grew, Karen was an important booster for all of their extracurricular activities, and she helped her daughters build a strong foundation in their new home. Throughout their childhood, she attended every last one of her daughters’ various performances and games, often serving as the designated carpool driver for her children and their friends.

Karen built her own lasting friendships with fellow moms that she met through her daughters’ water polo and swim teams. This collection of fast friends often enjoyed happy hour margaritas together, and meeting for coffee in the mornings, for many years after her daughters had all graduated from high school. Karen would always say how blessed she was to have these women in her life as her confidants and later, as an indispensable part of her support system through her cancer journey.

Karen’s greatest pride was her three daughters; they could always count on her as their strongest supporter and their loudest fan. Her home was perpetually open to all of her daughter’s friends and, eventually, boyfriends. She provided a warm, judgement-free space for everybody to laugh, learn, rest and grow into successful adults, continually reminding all that they had a safe space–and of course an open pool–to return to, if they ever needed.

Karen was blessed to see each of her lovely daughters marry three doting husbands. She eagerly welcomed them all into the family, wasting no time to put the men to work with tasks around the house. In 2021, Karen took on the role of devoted grandmother, her proudest role yet. Karen loved to spoil her granddaughter Lyla with her attention, kindness, and the occasional Cheeto. When summer arrived, Karen once more took on the role of swim instructor, guiding her granddaughter through some of her earliest swim lessons.

Karen will be remembered for her boundless kindness and warmth, her boisterous laughter and her bright smile that illuminated every room. She loved her friends and family dearly, and she was always there to offer her care and support for anyone so freely–even before they’d know they needed her.

She is survived by her brothers, Don Bills and Dennis Bills; her husband David Jefferis; her daughters Kelsey Elleris, Sarah Jarvis, Meghan Jefferis-Kipp; her son-in-laws Damon Elleris, Jon Jarvis, Corey Kipp; and her granddaughter Lyla Jarvis.

Karen is loved by all who knew her. Her family and friends will miss her forever, though their memories of her provide such tender comfort and joy.

Celebration of life information to follow.