Karen Lee Gleason

Karen is survived by her eldest daughter and son-in-law, Shari & Scott Qualman; grandchildren Austin Hoyle, Ellen Hole, Danette Hole, Clementine Jenson, and Elise Hole; younger daughter and son-in law, Rachelle (Shelly) & Mike Flinn; grandchildren Luke Frank, Sadie Frank, Jacob Von Ott, Delilah Kelley; and great-grandson Florian Von Ott. She was preceded in death by husband Arthur Gleason.

Karen spent her childhood in Minnesota, Nebraska, and California. She often told stories of the farm she spent years on and the horse she would ride to the one-room schoolhouse. She was the eldest of five siblings and is survived by her brothers and their wives Larry & Lynn Nystedt, Gary & Jill Nystedt, Kevin & Mary Nystedt, and her sister and husband Debbie & Bill Sangster.

In 1964, Karen graduated from Corban University in Salem, OR with a Bachelor of Science degree in education and missions. She spent the summer after graduation as a student missionary in Mexico. She then returned to her home in California and taught school for 2 years until she met and married her beloved husband Arthur Melvin Gleason.

Art and Karen first met in 1966, at the age of 24. Their first date was on Thanksgiving when Art invited Karan to his huge family’s Thanksgiving dinner. Art proposed to Karan on January 21, 1967, just 11 weeks after they first met. They married on June 24th, 1967 in Torrance, CA. Art & Karan used a unique, inspiring slogan for their life together. Art had it engraved on Karan’s wedding band: “each for the other and both for the Lord.”

In 1969, Art and Karen decided to leave the hustle and bustle of L.A and move to Clackamas, Oregon to raise their two daughters: Shari (born 1970) and Shelly (born 1972). Karen was very active in her daughters’ elementary school years. She was PTA President; Room Mother for both girls’ classrooms every year; and leader of their 4-H groups and stamp club. She was an excellent baker and in 1982 won “Queen of the Kitchen” at the Clackamas County Fair.

Karen also pursued freelance writing and speaking. She wrote many articles for a wide variety of periodicals. She is the author of three teaching resource books for children in K-6th grade. She led several writer critique groups and was a regular speaker and workshop leader at writers’ conferences.

Then, in 2007, Art and Karen entered into a life of retirement. They enjoyed their retirement years together, traveling in their fifth-wheel RV and interacting with their 8 grandchildren. During their 54 years of marriage, they were able to live a pretty active life, traveling throughout all 50 states and four provinces of Canada, in addition to enjoying three cruises.

Karen was a loving and adoring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She will be missed, but in our hearts forever!

“I have loved you with an everlasting love, and you will be rebuilt.”

Jeremiah 31:3