Karen S. Foss
Karen S. Foss, 62, a long time Libby resident died Thursday June 12, 2014, at her home in Libby surrounded by her family and friends.
Karen was born Jan. 18, 1952, in Kalispell to Donald and Carol (Flottman) Olson. At an early age, Karen’s family moved to Libby where she would attend the Plummer Elementary School and the Libby Junior High School through the eighth grade. Karen’s family then moved to Missoula where she attended Hellgate High School, graduating with the class of 1970.
Karen loved music and was an accomplished flute player with the Hellgate High band. Karen attended Spokane Valley Community College where she studied to be a dental assistant. She graduated from Spokane Valley Community College with an associate’s degree.
Karen kept in touch with her high school sweetheart, Richard Foss, by sending letters and care packages to him while he served in Vietnam. Upon his return, he proposed and they were married in Missoula at the Lutheran Church on Sept. 2, 1972.
They made their home in Libby, where they built a home and raised their three children, Scott, Pam and Amy. Karen worked at a number of jobs here in Libby. She was a dental assistant for Dr. Pacheco for 23 years, a job she enjoyed a great deal. Karen also worked for Dr. Swanson, Dr. Cox, and at Assisted Living. However, Karen’s favorite job of all was working for her son, Dr. Scott Foss, and later being able to work with her daughter, Dr. Amy, when she joined the practice in 2011.
After Karen retired, she became a full-time nana. Her children and grandchildren were the apple of her eye. Karen was especially proud of her three children, as well as her son-in-law Brian, who all became doctors of chiropractic.
Karen enjoyed sewing, quilting, cooking, gardening and especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing so much that she made daughter-in-law Michelle’s wedding dress and all of the bridesmaid and flower girl dresses for her wedding when she and Scott were married. She loved spending time with her family, preparing big family dinners, and attending events that her children and grandchildren were involved in, including multiple field trips and sporting events with her oldest granddaughter Mackenzie. You could catch her every year cooking a grand breakfast at the Big Bucks Tournament at the Legion field.
Fall was her favorite time of the year as she looked forward to quilting with her friends and tending the cook stove at the annual hunting camp. She loved the holidays. Her family always called her Mother Christmas. Karen always wanted to have all of her Christmas shopping done by Thanksgiving so she could concentrate on the true meaning of Christmas. Karen felt loved and comforted by her good friends, especially Yvonne and John Resch, and Terry and Barb Magone. Karen made a lasting impression on her family and all of those who knew her. She will be greatly missed. Karen was preceded in death by her sister Judy.
Survivors include her husband Dick Foss of Libby; son Scott Foss (Michelle) of Libby; daughters Pam Albiero (Brian) of Bigfork, and Amy Foss and fiancée Craig Moore of Libby; five grandchildren, Mackenzie, Macy, Madison, Sofie and Owen; father Don Olson of Corvallis; mother Carol of Kalispell; sisters Kathy Jovin (David) of San Diego, Calif., and Jan Hannum (Ken) of Spokane, Wash.; niece and nephew Melanie and Donny MacAskill; and numerous extended family members.
Services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 20, 2014, at the Libby Christian Church, 100 Kootenai River Rd, Libby. Arrangements are under the care of Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby. Online condolences and memories can be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.