Karen C. Gullberg

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Wilson High School Eastern Washington University

Karen Gullberg Obituary

Karen C. Gullberg Passed away on January 19 at her home in Des Moines, Washington after an eight-year struggle with melanoma. Karen was born to Lewis and Geraldine Cruver of Fircrest, and was the youngest of eight children. Karen graduated from Wilson High School in 1970. She married Rod Gullberg in June 1973. Karen finished her education at Eastern Washington University in 1977, and later became a physical education and health teacher in the Highline School District. Karen loved to run, swim and hike. Above all, she loved teaching and ministering to children at church and camp. She had a strong and committed faith in Jesus Christ, whom she loved to share with others. Karen is survived by her husband of 34 years, Rod Gullberg, and her three children, Scott, Luke and Becky. A memorial service will be held at Des Moines Gospel Chapel, 21914 7th Ave. S., Des Moines, on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 1pm.

Published by News Tribune (Tacoma) on Jan. 23, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Karen Gullberg

11 Entries

Kellie Moore

January 29, 2008

I had the honor and priviledge to work with Karen at Pacific since 2001. Being the other female Health and Fitness teacher at the school, we shared many things. One of the things we shared the most was an office space together in the girls locker room. That space will forever hold many fond memories of working together with her. She was not only a teacher to students, but was a mentor to me in many ways. She taught me so much. Not only in how to teach certain subjects or sports, but she taught me about what kind a person and teacher I want to be. She showed me about the kind of mother, wife and friend I want to be. Everyday I go to work and go in "our" office I am reminded of her and still expect her to walk through the door to say,"Mornin'." She was the most giving, sweetest, kindest, loving, and most caring person I have ever known. She was always putting others' needs above her own. It was a joy and privledge to watch her interact with her family and the loving stories she would tell of going home the have Luke pick her up or the long talks they would have. Or how her and Rod would go on little weekend trips at a nearby hotel to spend the weekend together. There were always the stories of hikes and runs she would take with all of her family. I never her heard her say a harsh a negative word out of her mouth. She was like a mother, a close friend and a colleague rolled in one. I know she is in a better place, and I take comfort in knowing that I will see her again someday. I still miss her everyday.

Kelsey Berg

January 26, 2008

"Karen", better known to me as Mrs. Gullberg was the greatest woman. She was not only my teacher, but also my coach, my go-to girl when I was down, but my best friend. Mrs. Gullberg and I atayed in touch after I left Pacific and even when I was at Mt. Rainier. She was an amazing person, bettering so many kids lives, and I know she bettered mine. She was like a mother to me and someone I could always turn too. Now that someone is gone, but I will never forget her and she will always be with me. I love her. Mrs. Gullberg, you will be missed, but never forgotten, and always in my heart.

Kathy Onorati

January 26, 2008

HER JOURNEY’S JUST BEGUN

DON’T THINK OF KAREN
AS GONE AWAY-
KAREN JOURNEY’S JUST BEGUN,
LIFE HOLDS SO MANY FACETS-
THIS EARTH IS ONLY ONE…
JUST THINK OF KAREN AS RESTING
FROM THE SORROWS AND THE TEARS
IN A PLACE OF WARMTH AND COMFORT
WHERE THERE ARE NO DAYS AND YEARS.
THINK HOW KAREN MUST BE WISHING
THAT WE COULD KNOW TODAY
HOW NOTHING BUT OUR SADNESS
CAN REALLY PASS AWAY.
AND THINK OF KAREN AS LIVING
IN THE HEARTS OF THOSE SHE TOUCHED…
FOR NOTHING LOVED IS EVER LOST-
`AND SHE WAS LOVED SO MUCH

I had the honor of working with Karen she will be missed.

Janie Lemley

January 26, 2008

Our two boys, Kevin and Jason were so fortunate to have had Karen for their P.E. teacher at Pacific Middle School. When Kevin was in her class.....she asked him, "are your grandparents Paul and Dory Lemley who live in Tacoma?".....and Kevin said, "yes..why?".....Well, it turns out that Kevin's grandparents, Paul and Dory, were Karen's High School Sunday School Teachers at First Covenant Church in Fircrest where they all attended church!! It is, indeed, a small world!! Kevin and Jason thought it was neat that their grandparents had been Karen's teacher. We were so thankful that Karen ministered to our boys in big and small ways while they were at Pacific!!! She truly lived a "grace-filled" life that was glorifying to our Lord Jesus! She will be greatly missed. May God comfort her family during this most difficult time of grief!
with love, The Lemley Family..Janie, Dave, Kevin, Jason, and Kristen

Michael McLeod

January 25, 2008

Karen was a teacher. She taught P.E. and Health through the decade I was most fortunate to work in the same school with her. But I don't mean that kind of teacher. She taught most profoundly through examples: her smile, her love of life, the joy she took in other people and all experiences, her unconditional love toward and acceptance of others, her warmth, her lack of self-consciousness when trying anything new out, even when that meant doing it before a crowd of middle-school students, her astonishing courage (which Hemmingway described as "Grace under fire."), and her boundless curiosity about everything in the whole, wide world.

No one I have ever known lived life more deeply or with more awareness. No one I know ever lived life more lovingly. To have known Karen is to be forever richer for what she gave us all: a shining example of how to live for however many glorious days we are given here on earth.

Cindy Bennight

January 25, 2008

A rose once grew where all could see,
sheltered beside a garden wall,
And, as the days passed swiftly by,
it spread its branches, straight and tall.
One day, a beam of light shone through
a crevice that had opened wide –
The rose bent gently toward its warmth
then passed beyond to the other side.
Now, you who deeply feel its loss,
be comforted – the rose blooms there,
Its beauty even greater now,
nurtured by God’s own loving care.

Tracy & Marilyn Bergquist

January 24, 2008

Dear Rod and family,
Hank's oldest brother, Victor, gave Charlene the sad news--Vic will be at the memorial. I have passed the news to several Bremerton Bible Church friends. I will always remember Karen's excitement on the camping trip to Mt. St. Helens and Spirit Lake the summer before it blew. She had a beautiful love of you, of God, and all the wonderful things God had made. Many of us here in Bremerton and Shelton who loved Karen and your family are praying for you. You two lived out a beautiful story of God's design for loving each other and loving others. We love you.
Tracy & Marilyn Bergquist

P.S. I found a video of the lake and mountain as we last saw it 1979:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2mgyCuLOlQ&NR=1

Lisa Wilson

January 24, 2008

Karen and I had numerous little chats about the goodness and faithfulness of God. She often shared her deep love for her Savior, as well as her deep love and joy for her family.

Bryan Howisey

January 23, 2008

I have worked with Karen the past five years at Pacific Middle School. She taught 8th grade Health and Fitness and coached volleyball, girls basketball and track. She made Pacific Middle School a great place to go to school and work at. She would always write little notes for me during all the holidays and she would bake me cookies to thank me for watching her class. She was like a second mom for our health and fitness department. She was an inspirational to all of us on her ability to always have a positive attitude no matter what was going on in her life. Her strong faith in the lord has helped me strengthen my faith. She was the best person at this school and I will try hard everyday to continue to do the “little things” that she did that made her special. She will be so dearly missed by the staff and students at Pacific Middle School. A great light has gone out.

Bryan Howisey-Health/Fitness Teacher and Head Track Coach-Pacific Middle School

Stephen Monson

January 23, 2008

To my friend Rod
There are simply no word that can express the depth of your loss, I know, I've been there!
The best that I can offer you is to always always remember the best of the best, the good times, the little joys, as well as the big ones. Maybe even write them down for your children and their children, so Karen's life is always with you and them.
My thoughts as well as Gini's are with you now and in the future.
Stephen Monson & Gini Wallerstein

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