Karen Lynn Millar Brusse

Karen or Mema as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren passed away on September 18, 2013 after a tough fought battle with ALS (Lou Gehrigs disease). Her brave fight of this disease was an example of how she lived her life, 100%, all in. She truly loved and was loved in her community and family and will be greatly missed. Karen was born to Al and Dee Millar in Oregon City, Oregon May 22, 1948. She was thier second child and had an older sister Janice Millar (Rapp). Al and Dee raised their girls in Canby, Oregon. Karen graduated in 1966 from Canby High School. Karen often talked fondly of her childhood which included memories of her home on the Willamete River and adventures with Jan and their many friends gowing up in Canby. After finishing high school she attended Mt. Angel College with an interest in art. Karen was an extremely creative person. Her imagination knew no bounds. She enjoyed painting and decorating, especially at holiday time. Her elaborate Halloween costumes were amazing, she never met a themed party she did not like. Through the years Karen had several careers. She worked in the Advertising department of the Canby Herald, dabbled in the Restaurant business but her third career was the charm. Karen started selling real estate in 1992. She loved and excelled at it. She had found her niche. She continued selling houses for the next 15 years and made many good friends over theose years. Karen's proudest accomplishment was her two children, her daughter April Thompson and son Ryan Oliver. She adored them. She raised them in Canby also, cheering them on in all their sports and academic activities through high school and college. As Karen's children married and started families (also staying in Canby) she was blessed with 6.5 grandchildren (Brady, Cole and Alexa Thompson, Maddox and Kellen Oliver and Cameron and Baby Brusse). Mema spent countless hours in the bleachers and on the sidelines cheering her kids and grandkids on, even attending the Canby High School football game just 5 days before she passed. Karen was also blessed with meeting her loving husband Phillip Brusse. They married on March 24th, 2006. They were married on the Canby Ferry and fortunate enough to enjoy many years traveling and going on all kinds of adventures. They also enjoyed the company of their beloved wiener dogs; Putzer, Lucy and Desi. Phillip was her constant companion and he will miss her greatly. Karen was preceded in death by her parents Al and Dee and her sister Jan. She is survived by her husband Phillip; daughter April; son in law Bryan, son Ryan; daughter in law, Kerrie, stepson Matt, daughter in law Lori, and 6.5 grandhildren, and various nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers the family asks you to consider contributions to the ALS Foundation of Oregon, 700 N.E. Multnomah St. #870, Portland, OR 97232. Public visitation will be at Canby Funeral Chapel, noon-5:00 pm, Friday, September 27th. Karen's Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 29th at 4:00 pm at the Richard R. Brown Canby Fine Arts Center with a reception immediately following at Cutsforth Thriftway Old Town Hall. Arrangements entrusted to Canby Funeral Chapel. www.canbymolallafuneralchapels.com