Karren passed away in her Gresham home of more than 30 years on September 20th.
Born in Portland to Don and Gladys Marshall March 7, 1944, she attended Santiam High School in Mill City, and then graduated from Oregon State University with a business degree. She soon married Danny Espalin whom she met in college, spent a few years in her business career until she started a family.
Karren loved her family, and she spent most of her life caring for and loving her husband and two boys. She loved to garden, plant flowers and spend time in her yard. She had a wonderful green thumb and could get just about anything to grow and thrive. Her yard was always a thing of beauty, and a sense of pride for her.
Karren enjoyed spending time with others. She had the gift of gab and had an incredible ability to make those around her feel comfortable and relaxed. She loved to create memories and encouraged others in their ideas and dreams. You could always count on a positive word and a smile from her. In fact, she had stacks of greeting cards organized in her study, and almost daily she would send out notes of encouragement to others.
Karren also loved her pets. She was fortunate to have many wonderful pets during her lifetime, each of them being a part of her family.
In her later years, she became the primary caregiver for her husband Danny who began suffering from dementia. She demonstrated her love and commitment in such a deep way through patience, and care on the good days and bad. For better or worse, they demonstrated their love and commitment for each other through 52 years of marriage.
She loved going to church at Good Shepherd Community Church in Gresham. In the later years, knowing she couldn’t leave her husband alone at home, she turned to Bible study at home, and routinely journaled and prayed allowing Jesus to fill her. Her faith was very important to her and you would often find her talking to other people about Jesus.
She is survived by her husband Danny; sons Michael and Brian; grandsons Joshua and Nicholas; brother Randy; and sister Sherri.
Karren wishes her and Danny’s ashes to be spread at the Oregon Coast where they spent many weekends together.
In lieu of flowers you may make a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org
Michael and Karen, so sorry for your loss. Karren was the loving and caring wife of my best high school friend.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and you family.
Please pass along my condolences to Danny. I think about him often.
Glenn Myers
Thank you Glenn. Your name was well known around our household, Dad and Mom spoke very highly of your friendship and memories.
Best regards,
Michael.
One of the greatest treasures a person can leave behind is memories, and it sounds like Karren has left immeasurable memories and love .God comfort you in this time of grieving.
truly,
Barry and Saundra Stebbing
Hi Saundra, memories galore. Mom loved it here on the farm, so it is easy to remember her in about everything we do. She really made it a life goal to create memories and experiences, and we have been blessed with the fruits of her efforts. So thankful for her, and miss her. Very glad to hear you are doing better!
Dear Michael. I am an old friend of your moms. I loved her very much and for a number of years we were best friends. We attended Good Shepherd together, had many coffee and lunch times. Then something happened to the closeness we once shared. To this day I don’t know what happened. This morning, Nov 5, 2020, she was on my mind and I thought about trying to reach out to her once again. As I was scrolling down her info on Google, I was shocked and greatly saddened to see that she passed away several years ago. The tears still keep falling as I had no idea that she or your dad were ill. I would so appreciate any details about her last years if you would be so kind. My email is below. Thank you. Sherrill Widmark
I went to Banning HS and played sports with Danny. I’m sorry for his loss and his condition. My wife Cindy has Alzheimer condition and it is not a good way to finish.