Karen Louise Sherve
December 19, 1939 – July 8, 2024
Karen was surrounded by love when she passed away peacefully at the age of 84. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert J. ‘Bob’ Sherve, parents Winifred and Arthur Ferkin, and grandson Rafe Harvey. She is survived by her brother Douglas Ferkin (Priscilla), sister Connie Fitzpatrick (John), daughter Carolyn Sherve, son Jon Sherve, son Karl Sherve (Cindy), daughter Kirsten Sherve (Rich Harvey), and granddaughters Danielle Langevin, Jessica Render (Rob), Sophia Sherve, and Sonja Sherve.
Karen was born on December 19, 1939, in Anaconda, Montana, to Winifred and Arthur Ferkin. Karen was the oldest of three children. She spent her childhood learning to play the piano and organ and began playing the organ for a local church at the age of 12.
After graduating high school, Karen attended the University of Montana in Missoula, Montana, where she met Bob. Karen and Bob worked four summers in Yellowstone National Park, while attending college.
Karen graduated from the University of Montana in 1961 with a BA in Education and shortly thereafter began teaching elementary school in Spokane, Washington. Bob and Karen married in 1963 in Anaconda, Montana. They then moved to Bakersfield, California where Bob was hired to work for the Bureau of Land Management. Karen taught elementary school in Bakersfield until Carolyn was born. In 1967, a few months after Jon was born, Bob, Karen, Carolyn, and Jon moved to Vale, Oregon. While in Vale, the family of four became a family of six when Karl and Kirsten were born. Then, in 1976, the family of six moved to Susanville.
While in Vale, Karen taught kindergarten for a year before Karl and Kirsten were born. After Karl and Kirsten were born, Karen stayed at home and took care of the family. In addition to teaching, music was a big part of Karen’s life. In Vale, Karen taught piano lessons and played the organ for the Methodist Church.
After moving to Susanville, she became involved in the music program at the Susanville United Methodist Church, where she did the music for Sunday school, sang in the choir, and played the organ and piano for church services. Karen’s goal was to play the organ for the Methodist Church for 40 years.
Karen went back to work in 1977 substitute teaching and was hired at Richmond School in 1978 as an 8th grade teacher. Over the course of Karen’s teaching career at Richmond School, she taught every grade (K-8). Her favorite grade to teach was 6th grade because of the focus on geography and the Geography Bee. Karen retired from Richmond School in 2005 and began volunteering/working as a teacher’s aide at Meadow View School.
Karen loved to spend time at the cabin (Rainbow Dell) her grandparents built just south of Big Sky, Montana. Bob and Karen honeymooned at this cabin in 1963 and they also celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2013 at this cabin surrounded by family.
The things Karen loved the most were her family, music, and teaching. These remained constant throughout her life. Karen will be deeply missed but will forever remain in the hearts of those she loved.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 1pm at the Susanville United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Karen L. Sherve may be made to:
1) Susanville United Methodist Church, 60 S. Lassen St. / P.O. Box 7226, Susanville, CA 96130 https://www.susanvillemethodist.org/donate
or 2) P.E.O. International: P.E.O. Executive Office – Treasurer’s Dept., 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312 https://www.peointernational.org/make-a-gift/#donate
