Karen Louise Bowler Packwood went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 24, 2023. She was surrounded by her three daughters and family. Karen was born in Redding, CA, on January 14, 1941, to Sidney and Nelda Bowler of Lewiston, CA, the eldest of three children.
Karen was a longtime resident of Redding. She attended grade school at Toyon and graduated from Shasta High School in 1958. Following graduation, she attended Shasta College and worked for Halling’s Jewelry Store. She married Harry Greer, also of Redding, in June of 1960. They moved to Little Rock, AR where he was stationed with the US Air Force and she began her first years of full-time US Government employment. They moved back to Redding in 1962 and started their family, consisting of three daughters.
Karen stayed at home when the girls were little. In March of 1975 the couple purchased a jewelry business and the family relocated to Susanville, CA. They later divorced and Karen remarried Frank Packwood in December of 1983. They were married 14 years. He passed in June of 1997. Karen remained in Susanville and retired from the Bureau of Land Management in 2006. Her remaining years were spent living lots of life with her family, friends, and church family.
Karen is survived by her three daughters – Sherri Yonan (Glen), Kathleen Patton (Chris), and Lori Barry (Jim), and Packwood children – Jim (Maura), Steve (Paula), Pam (Jerry), Sarah (Joe), and Lara (Troy). Twelve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Karen also leaves behind her brother – James Bowler (Carolyn), and brother-in-law – Lester Stone. Cousins – Sandra Bowler Driver and Cheryl Bowler Strathman. Three nieces and six grand-nieces.
Karen is preceded in death by her younger sister – Loretta Bowler Stone.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 2:00p.m., at the Redding Memorial Park Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at Susanville Community Church on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 1:00p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Honey Lake Hospice, P.O. Box 1166, Susanville, CA 96130.
