Karen Louise Jellum

Karen Louise (Dokken) Jellum, 70, died from complications from Alzheimer's disease, on Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, at Sweet Nursing Home in Chinook.

A celebration of life was held in Chinook at 11 a.m. on Oct. 25, at the Lloyd Sweet Auditorium, under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook. Another service was held at 11 a.m. Oct. 26, at First Lutheran Church in Glasgow, with interment in the Highland Cemetery in Glasgow.

She was born to Jorgen and Marion Dokken on Sept. 16, 1943, in Bremerton, Wash. She grew up on the family farm northeast of Glasgow, which was originally homesteaded by her grandfather, Nels Dokken, in 1908.

She graduated from Glasgow High School in 1961 and went on to attend college at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. During the summers she attended Eastern Montana College and the University of Americas in Mexico City. Later, she transferred to Eastern Washington College where she graduated with a B.A. in elementary education.

On July 2, 1966, she married Gale Jellum, the love of her life, and they recently celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary.

She taught school in Portland, Ore., and later in Weiser, Idaho. They later made their home in Chinook, after Gale purchased the Chinook Veterinary Clinic. Karen taught at the Eastside School until their two children were born. Later she also taught school in Zurich. She and Gale took over the operation of Karen's family farm in Glasgow, where they lived during the farming season.

She established a library at the American Lutheran Church in Chinook. She was a member of a number of organizations, including Ikebana Japanese Flower Arranging Club, Glasgow Garden Club, the School Board and the Milk River Genealogy Society. As a member of the Milk River Genealogy Society she co-edited two books, "Fire in the Wind" and "The Unyielding Prairie."

She was preceded in death by her parents and younger brother, Gary.

Survivors include her husband, Gale, of Chinook; two children, Kirk and his wife, Kristen, of Salt Lake City, and Kimberly Garson and her husband, Matthew, of Bozeman; two special grandsons, Lucas and Levi Garson; a sister, Marilyn McCready and her husband, Richard, of Mansfield, Ohio.

Suggested Memorials include Alzheimer's Association of Montana, Sweet Nursing Home, or a charity of your choice.