Karen Lee (Kerr) Spencer Obituary (1945 - 2022)

Karen Spencer (nee Kerr) was born on November 13, 1945, in Medford, Oregon, to Leah Evans and Norman McLean Kerr. After spending her first eight years in Medford, the family moved to Coos Bay and later to McMinnville, where Karen graduated from high school in 1963. Karen attended Oregon State University, graduating in 1967 with a degree in Education. Karen's career began in 1968 as a first-grade teacher in Beaverton, Oregon, where she met her future husband, Virgil R. Spencer. They were married on December 19, 1970, in Aloha. While working full-time, Karen attended night classes at Portland State, receiving her Master's in Education in 1973. In 1975, Karen and Virgil moved to Bend, Oregon, where she taught first grade in various public schools for 23 years. Karen was a gifted teacher, well-loved by her students, families, and colleagues. She was committed to reaching and connecting with every child. Karen loved her students and went above and beyond to meet their needs; she stayed connected with and advocated for them long after they left her classroom. She also mentored young teachers and inspired others to become educators. Karen worked hard to improve not only her students' lives but also the educational system; she was active within Bend Public Schools and served as a Youth Development consultant for the Oregon Department of Education. Karen was happiest when helping others. She was a caring, kind person who was willing to help anyone in need. She retired from teaching in 1998 but remained dedicated to spreading kindness and love to those around her. Each day of her life was spent caring for her beloved husband, pets, friends, and family members. Karen was also active in the Mormon Church and Delta Kappa Gamma. Karen had a special connection with animals and children, and they all loved her back. When Karen took time for herself, she loved nothing more than reading. She would read anything she could, even the phone book, if nothing else was available. She also loved to go camping in her trailer or motorhome. A perfect evening for Karen was sitting around a campfire at night in the Oregon wilderness. In keeping with her love of nature, Karen loved bears and collected anything with a bear on it. In some Native American cultures, the bear represents courage and strength and is considered to be a protector of what is right, good, and true. It seems fitting that Karen was surrounded by an animal that embodied so much of who she was as a person. Karen was a blessing in so many lives, and she will be dearly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Karen and Virgil were married for almost 49 years before his death in July of 2019. She is survived by her brother, Norman (Vicki), cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Karen is also survived by several (as she called them) un-children, ungrandchildren, and ungreat grandchildren for whom she cared greatly. In remembrance of Karen Spencer, we ask that donations be directed toward Settler's Park Assisted Living through Gray's West & Co. Pioneer Chapel at 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, Oregon 97814.