Karen Lynn (Long) Ghrist, 62, a longtime Baker City, Ore., resident passed away at her home on Feb. 28, 2007.
Memorial services will be held at a later date.
Karen was born Feb. 3, 1945, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Mary Louise (Vandecar) and Elwin Long. Her father passed away when Karen was a very young child and her mother was remarried to Robert Forsea. The family relocated to Richland, Ore., from the Snake River area in 1957. Karen was schooled at Huntington and Home, Ore., until high school. After graduating from Eagle Valley High, she went onto college at Oregon State University. After two years at the university, Karen moved back to Eagle Valley and was married to her high school love Richard ‘Dick’ Ghrist in September of 1965. The couple lived in and raised their two children, Samuel and Susan, primarily in Baker City. Karen and Dick spent 11 years living in Portland, but Baker City was their home.
Karen loved being a wife and mother and caring for her family. She also worked outside the home later in life. She had her Real Estate license, worked for St. Elizabeth Heath Services, helped run her and Dick’s business, the Baker Bowl, and worked in insurance at Trails West and McAdams Insurance.
She was very much a people person, and was loved by all who knew her. Karen was a loving grandmother and enjoyed spending time with her two grandkids.
Karen is survived by her husband of 41 years, Dick Ghrist of Baker City, Ore.; children, Samuel Ghrist of La Grande, Ore., and Susan Allen and her husband, Eric of Payette, Idaho; grandchildren, Samantha Ghrist and Mathew Allen; brother John Long.
She was preceded in death by infant twins, Daryl and Dana; and her parents, Elwin Long, Mary Forsea; step-father, Robert Forsea.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of one’s choice in care of Gray’s West & Company, 1500 Dewey Ave., Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, March, 2007
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor