Karen Wisenor

Karen Louise Wisenor passed away August 10, 2024, in an Olympia, WA. hospital, after several unsuccessful surgeries. She was 78.  Karen was born in Borger, Texas, in 1946 to Margaret and Edgar Renfrow. She graduated from high school in Roseburg, Oregon in 1964 and was looking forward to her “60th” Class Reunion this month. Karen maintained and valued close friendships with lifelong friends from her early years till her last. In 1970, she married her life-long partner Richard and they built their family.

Karen’s big heart, personality, sharp mind and generosity was evidenced in her daily life by all who knew her. Karen and Dick  shared a life of adventures together. Moving to Alaska for Dick’s work, building and living in a log home on Lake St. Clair, and buying a houseboat and living on Shasta Lake for two years. They enjoyed camping and fishing for many years, as well as gardening and sharing the fruits of their labor with family and friends. Karen’s home was always welcoming and she loved to cook for big parties, i.e, oysters on the grill and a pig in the ground. Once retired, they cooked evening dinners together and started their morning with coffee, reading the news, talking politics and doing a 20 question quiz, all the while interacting with beloved dogs, Violet and Ginger. Karen and Dick’s mutual love for animals, most always had them owning dogs, usually two they had rescued.

Throughout her life, Karen created several successful businesses in Alaska, and Eugene and Portland, Oregon. She had a Process Service, was a Private Investigator and she and Dick opened a Nonprofit Group Home in Olympia for their  Special Needs son Stacy. Karen considered that her most important life’s work.

For over 25 years, she and close friend Gail Parnell, were co-captains for their women’s annual houseboat trips on Shasta Lake.

Later in life, Karen spent 3 months each winter in her brother’s home in Arizona soaking up the warm climate.

Karen is survived by her husband Dick, son Stacy, daughter Amy King Hellman, stepdaughter Michelle Smith, sister Sandy Apukka, brother Randy Renfrow, granddaughter Elizabeth Honores and great granddaughter Lilith Honores. Karen’s oldest son Scott preceded her in 2007. Karen had given Amy up at birth and after 31 years, when adoption records were opened, they were reunited. After numerous ups and downs, they found a loving mother-daughter relationship. Karen will be missed by numerous nieces and nephews as well as friends and classmates she kept in touch with over the years.

There will be a gathering for family and friends at her brother’s house on Sept.14 and another Celebration of her Life on Shasta Lake next summer.