On December 22, 2010, Karen Eileen Echave passed away at Saint Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, Idaho after an on-going battle with cancer. She was 66 years old. Thanks to all who have supported her throughout this struggle, be it with cards, visits, phone calls, food, or simply prayers.
Karen was born in Glendale, Calif., on September 24, 1944, to Harris and Yolan Goodrich. She and her younger sister Kristen grew up enjoying all outdoor activities including snow skiing, water skiing, and competitive swimming and diving. She graduated from John Muir High School in Pasadena, Calif., in 1962. One of her fondest memories was spending extended summer vacations at Lake Tahoe with her family and various friends water skiing, swimming, and camping. She enjoyed the area so much she decided to visit the University of Nevada, Reno with her parents. Without much hesitation, she determined that was the college of choice. At the university, she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta and roomed with girls from Winnemucca, Nev., who introduced her to her future husband, Jock (John) Echave.
At twenty years old, Karen married Jock in LaCanada, Calif., on June 27, 1964, and they enjoyed the next 46 years together immensely. They made their home at Oregon Canyon Ranch in McDermitt, Nev., for the next 36 years. They had three children: Kristen, Michon, and Jon. She devoted her life to her husband and children and reveled in caring for them. Karen never missed a single event that any of her children participated in whether it was attending basketball, football, and volleyball games, track meets, or traveling across the state for high school rodeo. Karen enjoyed crafting, gardening, community involvement, school activities, and all duties associated with being a housewife on a ranch. She also took pleasure in working as a teacher’s aide at McDermitt Combined Schools and later as a substitute teacher in Humboldt County.
A new chapter began in Karen’s life when her first grandchild, Kaine Baptist, was born in February 1993. Karen thoroughly cherished her time spent crafting, cooking, and generally caring for him. Four years later Bayley Baptist was born. She was an added joy. Finally, the baby of the family, John Jett Echave, joined the brood. “Amuma” liked to take the kids to Idaho for the day, “work” in the garden together, attend their various school activities, and watch the Boise State and UNR football games.
Karen is preceded in death by her father Harris Goodrich. She is survived by her husband Jock Echave, daughter Kristen Echave, daughter Michon (Jason) Schmidt, son Jon (Tara) Echave, three grandchildren Kaine and Bayley Baptist, John Jett Echave, her mother Yolan Goodrich, her sister Kristen (Bob) Tallman, her niece Nicole (Daniel) Pennell and children Canyon and Cashly, brother-in-law Frank (Sharon) Echave, niece Elisa McDade and her children Savannah and J.W., niece Elaina Echave, niece Danielle (Augie) Mariezcurrena and children LaShae and Nicolie, and nephew Frank Echave and son Cameron.
A Celebration of Life service was held at the Lion’s Den in Jordan Valley, Ore., on Monday, December 27, 2010. The service began at 11:00 a.m. and was followed by a potluck luncheon.
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