On December 22, 2021, Karen Mensing entered into Glory.

Karen Lee Probasco was born in Santa Ana, Calif. on May 8, 1952. With her parents and her four siblings, she grew up in neighboring Costa Mesa. Karen was the middle child. She had three sisters — Kaitoria, Jacqueline and Leigh — and the youngest sibling, her brother, Jack, Jr.

Karen was always very proud of her father, Jack Probasco’s, service as a Marine who fought at Guadalcanal and Saipan and served in Okinawa. Karen’s mother, Mervil E. Swift was born in England and grew up in New Zealand.

In 1972, while working at Tammy Advertising in Newport Beach, Karen and a friend decided to take the bus to Garberville. Karen had the address of some people in China Creek who weere raising goats and such. There, she learned the art of stained glass. She and her short-time husband, Mike Satrino, sold stained glass items at various craft and art fairs. For about a year, she and Mike lived in Redwood City.

Karen eventually moved to Redway and held various local jobs. For a few years she was married to John McGrath.

In 1988, while living in Garberville she married Dale Mensing.

While in Junior High, Karen received Jesus Christ as her Savior. Karen was a long time member of First Baptist Church in Redway. As she loved helping children, she became a leader in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

Karen had many interests. She loved butterflies and treasured her Auduban Butterfly Field Guide. She would go on field outings to find and identify butterflies. Accomodating her love of butterflies was her love of flowers. She charished her flower garden. She had six different types of yellow rose bushes.

She enjoyed collecting sports cards, especially those depicting Nolan Ryan.

She was a member of four card-collecting clubs. Karen studied and employed the art of making medicinal tinctures. She understood herself to be a healer.

Karen often reflected on how much she enjoyed hiking around the Sisters Mountains in Oregon. She also loved to hike the King Range.

As Karen enjoyed beading, she sold beads and beaded work at booths in various fairs and markets. She and Dale had a bead shop in Redway.

Karen also collected and sold dolls. She received the award for best display and booth at the Eureka doll show.

On many occasions, Karen prepared and took food, coats and gloves to people who seemed to be living on the street.

Karen raised and sold many chihuahuas and Chinese crested dogs. Much could be said about her love for all animals. Her vizsla, Rika, and her chihuahua, Franky, were her “favorite people.”

For many years Karen provided in-home care for the elderly. She had many loving relationships with her clients.

Karen was very proud to be an American and did much work for her political party. She worked the telephone and went door-to-door campaigning.

Karen had many friends and she loved Humboldt County. She is dearly missed by many.

On Saturday, Feb. 5, at 11 a.m. there will be a life celebration gathering at New Hope Assembly of God: 354 Sprowl Creek Rd, Garberville. Please bring photos and stories.

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