Karen B. Breckon, 64

Karen B. Breckon, 64, of Whitefish passed away Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008, at Colonial Manor in Whitefish, after a long illness. Karen was born in Merced, Calif., while her parents, Connie and Harry Boetcher, were serving in the Army Air Corps. The family lived in Merced and Asheville, N.C., before moving to Great Falls, where the family owned and operated the Petite Shoppe.

Karen attended Great Falls schools and graduated with honors from Great Falls High School in 1962. She was an American Field Service exchange student to Italy during the first semester of her senior year. Karen was an active Girl Scout through high school and was selected as one of the Big Sky Girl Scout Council's representatives to the 1959 Girl Scout Roundup.

She received a full scholarship to Northwestern University, graduating in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

She worked in real estate in Wisconsin before moving to Portland and then Seattle, where she worked for various companies as an accountant.

Vacations were usually spent at the family home on Swan Lake. She enjoyed sailing, canoeing, hiking and any time spent in Glacier National Park. She was also able to return to Italy and traveled to Germany and the British Isles. After her retirement, Karen returned to Montana and settled in Whitefish in 2007.

Karen is survived by her daughter, Deborah Breckon, of Kalispell; and her sister, Carol Edgar, of Bigfork.

Her son, Colin Breckon, preceded her in death.

There will be a small family service on Swan Lake next summer to celebrate Karen's life.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Karen's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Karen's guest book.