Karon Louise Yaden passed away on September 20, 2016 with her loving husband, Boyd Yaden, by her side. Karon was born on June 23, 1942 in Lake City, Iowa to Floyd and Thelma Brassfield. She was the youngest of five children. When she was nine years old, the family relocated to the Pacific Northwest so that her father could pursue a welding job in the Vancouver [Washington] shipyards. After graduating high school she enrolled at Portland Christian College, eventually earning her Bachelor's degree in Biology and Physical Education. Upon graduating, she began working as a secondary teacher in Sprague, Oregon. Her career the took a turn and she began working as an Assistant Trust Officer at Wells Fargo Bank, specializing in Real Estate Collections. After many years of employment with Wells Fargo, she became the Administrative Assistant to her husband, Boyd, a Chapter 7 Trustee in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Oregon. Later in life, she added to her education by pursuing additional coursework in special education. After this, she taught as a substitute teacher for the Multnomah Education Service District. Karon met her husband Boyd while taking night course at the American Institute of Banking. Boyd immediately fell for Karon, but Karon wanted to take things a little slower. Undeterred, Boyd would bring Karon a rose every week and after several years of courtship, Boyd and Karon were married on October 9, 1976 at the historic Oaks Pioneer Church. Karon was a great organizer and involved in many civic activities. She was a member of the Military Officers Association of America, the vice president of the Oregon Federation of Garden Clubs, and the Chair of the Oratorical & Essay Contest for the PNW District of Optimist Clubs. More than anything, Karon loved flowers and nature and she proudly earned the title of OSU Master Gardner. While living in Klamath Falls, she received the best in show ribbon at the Klamath County Fair for her beautiful flower arrangement. Karon was always a giver, whether through teaching or sharing plants from her garden with fellow gardeners. Therefore it did not come as a surprise when Karon poured many hours of volunteer work into establishment of the Blue Star Memorial Highway. When she wasn't busy volunteering or working, Karon also enjoyed bowling or simply watching a good game of golf at home on her television. Karon will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, her kindness, and most of all her love of plants and the outdoors.

Karon was preceded in death by her siblings, Elvis, Betty, and Irene.

YADEN, KARON LOUISE
DATE OF BIRTH: 06/23/1942
DATE OF DEATH: 09/20/2016
BURIED AT: SECTION COL-6 ROW 957 SITE D
WILLAMETTE NATIONAL CEMETERY

WIFE OF YADEN, BOYD CARRICK
LT COL US AIR FORCE