Karen Gehrke

Karen Ruth Gehrke was born June 27, 1949, to Jim and Myrna Visser of Lynden, Washington. Karen graduated from Lynden Christian High School, then attended Bellingham Technical College, where she met Larry. They married while he was on furlough from the US Army. Later, Karen traveled to Germany to be with Larry while he was stationed there. After he was discharged, they made their home in Bellingham, WA, and later in Custer, WA.

Karen loved children and worked in daycare for many years. She was always so proud of her kids and grandkids and would have been really excited to meet her first great-grandchild, who is expected to arrive in December.

She was preceded in death by parents Jim and Myrna Visser, Father and mother-in-law Clarence & Alice Gehrke, Sister-in-law Carol Visser, brother-in-law Bob Taylor, and Nephew Ed Taylor.

Survived by her husband Larry, children Tina (Gabe) Cabarrus, Vern (Stefanie) Gehrke, Brothers Ron, Ken (Vicki), Dean (Emilly), Sisters Barb Wagenaar, Wendy (Ken) Thornberry, and Tami Visser. Sister-in-law Carolyn Taylor and brother-in-law Mike Gehrke

Grandchildren: Dominic (Melody) Gehrke, Baylee, Caleb, Kendra, Frankie, Michael, Presley, and numerous nieces & nephews.

The family would like to give special thanks to all the wonderful staff, caregivers, and friends at Whispering Willows Memory Care in Mt. Vernon who went above and beyond to give Karen so much wonderful care and love in the last months while she was struggling with dementia.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for August 16th at 2 pm in the Hovander Park group picnic shelter in Ferndale.