Karen Lee Biehl passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2024, with her daughter and son-in-law by her side. Despite a terminal cancer diagnosis, Karen was determined to live her life independently and only required assistance during the week before her death. Her quiet strength and tenacity will continue to profoundly inspire her children.
Karen was born in Bartlett, Illinois to Alvin Hahn and Dorothy Eaton Hahn. She was the middle child with older brother, Ken, and younger sister, Judy. She grew up on a farm and attended a one room schoolhouse for elementary school. After graduating high school in Elgin, Illinois, she worked for a while and then used her savings to strike out for Los Angeles, following her older cousins Joan and Lynn. Joan recalls that within a week Karen found a job and a place to live and began exploring Los Angeles on her own by bus. After two years living in a women’s boarding house, she got an apartment and her sister Judy joined her.
Karen and Judy attended a Christian Science young adults’ social group where they met their future husbands Franz and Constantin. Karen recalled recently, to the astonishment of her children, that she and Franz were considered “quite the dancers” in those days. Franz proposed on a trip to Yosemite National Park and they soon started a life together in Long Beach, California. They made many friends and enjoyed entertaining in their little house. They completed their family welcoming Paul and then Lisa. Judy and her husband Constantin had their children Natalie and Alek at the same time, forging a special bond between the families.
Tired of the smog in Los Angeles, Franz found a job at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory and the family moved to White Rock. At first the vista dominated by sagebrush, chamisa, pinon, and juniper was not appealing to Karen, but the landscape soon grew on her. The family took up skiing and hiking, with the Red Dot Trail by the house a favorite, and continued camping with their tent trailer and dabbling in backpacking.
The family made life-long friends with their neighbors, often spending holidays together, and the kids roamed freely between yards, homes, and the nearby arroyo.
Karen always had time to volunteer at school, working in the reading program and at the library among other things. She enjoyed gardening and learning about what would grow in this climate.
Once Lisa was in high school, Karen went back to work, first working with 2 and 3 year olds at a daycare and then at Mesa Public Library. She made many friends among her fellow librarians, and her weekly retired librarian coffee group brought her pleasure and friendship. The ladies in the group showed her much kindness during her health difficulties.
Karen was a dedicated crafter, willing to try just about anything from macramé, needlepoint, embroidery, and crochet. However her enduring love was for quilting. She made all sorts of quilts for beds, wall hangings, table runners, and laps, many of which she gifted to others. In particular, she leaves a legacy in the countless baby quilts that she made and gave to family, friends, and acquaintances. She taught her daughter how to quilt and inspired others to take it up.
Karen was always first to note another person’s generosity, kindness, or talent, while often discounting her own. She was a devoted mother who always had something to give to her children and never asked much for herself. Her children will keenly miss her every time their first thought is to call Mom to share news, ask for advice, or just to hear her voice.
Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Franz Biehl.
She is survived by her children Paul Biehl (Carole Brooks) and Lisa Biehl (Kei Davis), brother Ken Hahn, sister Judy de Garder (Constantin), cousin Joan Anderson, niece Natalie Wielenga (Don), nephew Alek de Garder (Ayumi), and many other relatives, friends, and neighbors.
In memory of Karen, take a moment for gratitude each day, check out a book from one of our wonderful libraries, or go outside and enjoy a walk.
The family thanks the Los Alamos Visiting Nurse Service (LAVNS) who provided Karen with home hospice care and welcomes those who wish to honor Karen to make a donation to LAVNS in her name.