Karin Liljeberg Bailey

Published 9:05 am Monday, February 5, 2018

November 12, 1938 – January 25, 2018

Karin Liljeberg Bailey passed away peacefully at age 79, on January 25, 2018, at her home in Bend, with family at her side.

She leaves behind Bruce Bailey, her husband of 60 years and business partner in Bend Garbage and Recycling. Together they raised four wonderful children, Jodie Bailey of Monmouth, Sandy Hough of Keizer, Brad Bailey of Bend, and Laura Crownover of Bend. Karin had 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren that she loved and was very proud of. She also leaves behind her sister, Doris Arntz of Bend; and her brother, John Liljeberg of Corvallis.

Karin was born in Marshfield, OR, (now Coos Bay) November 12, 1938. Bruce and Karin met at the University of Oregon on a blind date. They eloped and got married in Stevenson, Washington, on December 7, 1957, at age 19. It was love at first sight.

Karin suffered with Parkinson’s disease for 25 years but was determined to not let it control her life; and it didn’t. She loved to travel in their RV, boat in the San Juan’s and British Columbia, and spend time with her family. She loved her animals that include a cat, a cockatiel, and a red golden retriever. She also never met a stuffed animal that she didn’t fall in love with. She collected cow pitchers and the number exceeded 100.

We are the luckiest family in the world to have had Karin in our lives. She wore many hats as wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, business partner, and best friend. She wore them all with lots of love, pride and determination. Karin was truly inspirational to those that loved her and those that had the pleasure of knowing her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, “In Honor of Karin Bailey,” to either of the following, Humane Society of Central Oregon at www.hsco.org/donate/ or Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon at 8880 SW Nimbus Ave., Suite B, Beaverton, OR 97008, which will support local Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon programs.