Karen Marlene Weinbender, 89, a resident of the Helvetia community passed away on June 17, 2025 at her home.

Karen was born on March 17, 1936 in Wynot, Nebraska. She was the only child born to Ervin and Marjorie (Rush) Kleinberg. She moved with her parents to Los Angeles when she was a very young girl, and then later to Portland, OR.

She attended Roosevelt High School, graduating with the class of 1954. Following high school she attended business school in Portland and worked as a bookkeeper for Ace Electric Company.

Karen married Richard “Dick” Weinbender on January 6, 1957 in Vancouver, WA. They lived for several years in Gresham before building their home in Helvetia where they raised their two sons, Scott and Mark.

Karen enjoyed gardening and was an avid reader. Karen and Dick also enjoyed traveling. They crossed the United States and Alaska twice in their RV. They also traveled abroad visiting New Zealand, Australia, England, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
She was a member of the West Union Garden Club for many years and enjoyed playing Bunco with her long-time group of friends.

Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Dick and her parents.

She is survived by her two sons and their spouses, Scott and Sue Weinbender of Forest Grove and Mark and Dawn Weinbender of Hillsboro, four grandchildren, Kelli (Tyler) Kruse of Pasco, WA, Eric Weinbender of Forest Grove, Nicole (Cameron) Nelson of Portland and Erin Weinbender of Hillsboro, four great-grandchildren, Finnegan and Louisa Kruse and Jake and Cooper Weinbender.