Karen (only child to Ernest and Myrtle Olson) was born on May 16, 1939 in Minneapolis MN. She spent her childhood years living on a farm in McGregor, ND. She graduated from Williston HS in 1957. It was soon after high school that she married her 1st husband, David Reep. Together they had three daughters, Kathie, Sonja, and Gretchen. They lived in Minnesota before relocating to Westlake Village, CA in 1972.
Karen embraced her Scandinavian heritage. She started a tradition every holiday season by making lefse with her daughters, granddaughters and friends. She ensured her daughters had all the essential tools to carry on the tradition, which continues to this day.
Karen worked at Los Robles Hospital as an EKG Tech up until her retirement in 2002. It was there that she formed lifelong friends, affectionally known as the “SISTER HOOD”.
Karen married her 2nd husband, Calvin Henry in 1989. The two of them loved to travel to warm destinations, the Bahamas being one of their favorites. They also spent a lot of their time with friends at the beach in their camper that was tastefully decorated in toile print. She was a good cook and baker who was always ready to prepare food for anyone who was hungry.
Karen was adventurous. Each summer she would fly to Washington where she would meet her cousin Naomi. The two of them would travel by car from Washington to the old farm in McGregor where they would spend a week or two reliving their childhood memories.
Karen loved “all things home”. She loved to garden and spent many days out in her garden and visiting all the local nurseries. Their home and camper reflected Karen’s beautiful creative touch. She had great style in her appearance. She LOVED a good bargain. One of her favorite pastimes was shopping at the local mall, antique shops, and even thrift stores.
Karen is survived by her daughters – Kathleen Bucaria (John), Sonja Essick (Paul), Gretchen Kelly (Kevin), Anne Henry, Sulaiman Hassan, aka Todd Henry (Nasima), grandchildren Ellis Bertschi, Joshua Varnum, Amy Bertschi, Emily Varnum, Peter Varnum, Cameron Stewart, Nafeesa Hassan. Karen is predeceased by her husband Calvin Henry, parents Ernest and Myrtle Olson and former husband David Reep.
Family and friends are invited to a funeral service to be held at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park, Westlake Village CA, on April 20, 2018 at 10AM, followed by a reception.
A warm, heartfelt thank you to Dr. Paul Reisser and all the care-givers at Thousand Oaks Health Care Center and Family Care Cottages. We appreciate all the love and support Karen received while under your care.
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