Karla Loraine Jess was born in Twin Falls Idaho on Aug. 19, 1956. She was the first daughter born to Marvin and Rose Alene Jess and one of seven siblings in total. When she was young she lived with her maternal grandparents Doil and Lorene Montgomery and grew very close to them before moving in with her father and his second wife, Carol Baldwin. She moved to Portland in 1974 and started a family shortly thereafter.
Her largest legacy is her family; her eight children: Cherie, Dave, Nathaniel, Jonah, Heather, Micah, Stephen, and Devin; her 18 grandchildren: Ethan, Penelope, Gabriel, Jonathan, Emma, Alethea, Naomi, Elisha, Moses, Malachi, Zion, Hosanna, Zoe, Austin, Christian, Brooklyn, Watson, and Jareth; and her great grandchild, Boden.
During the years raising her family she moved around Oregon and Washington before settling in Stayton. She was proud of being the first member of her family to go back to school and complete a college program in 2002. After working just to support her family, she was able to pursue her passion for healthcare as a medical assistant.
Karla enjoyed spending time with her pets, gardening, and playing games. She is remembered for her passion for cars, home renovation, family history and genealogy, writing, drawing, thrifting, and crafting. She was gifted at telling stories about her family, giving hugs, and being a mother to everyone. Karla fiercely protected her family, but she was also a gentle soul, who listened to everyone’s worries and knew the power of a warm embrace.
Karla passed away at the age of 65 on June 26, 2022 in her home in Stayton, Oregon. She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, Cherie Roseanne Brown.
A celebration of her life and legacy was held on July 11 at Calvary Chapel in Salem.
