Karren Dianne Espalin
March 7, 1944-September 20, 2018

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