Karen Work

Longtime Palmer resident Karen Work, 62, passed away March 10, 2014, at her Palmer residence.

A celebration of life will take place at 4 p.m., March 30 at St John Lutheran Church. A burial took place March 22 at Mount Vernon Cemetery in Eugene, Ore.

She was born April 24, 1951, in Cottage Grove, Ore., to Vern and Winny Work. She came to Alaska in 1994 to be closer to daughter Kellie, niece, Joelle and their families.

Karen enjoyed knitting, going to church and meetings, along with spending time with her friends and family.

Karen’s love, honesty and kind heart was an inspiration to her family. Her daughter said, “She never said a harsh word about anybody.” She lived her life with integrity and bravery.

Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Kellie and Bruce Shaw of Wasilla; granddaughters, Cheyenne Shaw of Portland, Ore., and Alexi Shaw of Las Vegas, Nev.; sisters, Wanda Bellows of Florida, Jeri Lawrence of California and Ronda of Oregon; brothers, Don Work of Oregon and Leon Work of Oregon; and many nieces and nephews.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Vern and Winny; sisters, Peggy and Kathy; and by her brother, Tommy.

Arrangements have been made by Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.