My third-grade teacher loved her job. She also lives a life that continually defines the word hope. How do I know? Well, 60 years later, I have the honor of interviewing her for a Silver Stars post. During the course of our visit, one word kept coming up that she both used and described – hope. It is the key theme of her life.
In 1965, I began third grade in a new school when we moved to a small town in Northern California. Thankfully, my new teacher was wonderful and made me feel welcome. That was an interesting and fun year. Karen – Miss Herrlie to us – loved to read, so reading and writing were important skills that she wanted each one of her students to acquire.
Reading Time was fun
As part of her teaching, Karen felt it was important to read to her pupils; the class enjoyed reading time. One of her favorites was “Charlotte’s Web” by E. B. White. She shared with me an interesting story from her time while teaching in Wyoming. One of the teachers loved to read “Where the Red Fern Grows” by Wilson Rawls to her students each year. Karen noted that, like clockwork, the teacher always called in sick when it was time to read the part of story that was so sad, so Karen was called upon year after year to read that section. She didn’t mind, although she agreed that it was very sad.
Learning all about Hawaii
One of the highlights that year for me was learning all about Hawaii. Miss Herrlie had been to Hawaii a few times and wanted to teach us all about our newest state. We learned to hula with The Hukilau Song, and to top it off, we even had a Hawaiian Luau! Tables of Hawaiian food were set up outside in the courtyard, and our class performed the Hukilau Hula dance for everyone. I still remember the basic steps after all these years.
Chicken Fat and Holidays
An additional fun memory from Miss Herrlie’s class was something we did in response to President Kennedy’s physical fitness initiative. He wanted to encourage all youth to exercise regularly. But whenever it was too hot or too rainy outside, we stayed indoors for PE and exercised to something by Robert Preston called “Chicken Fat: ‘The Youth Fitness Song’ (School Version)“. She would play the record, and we all had a great time getting our fitness while singing along with the song. The class loved it!
Another teaching focus Miss Herrlie had was that holidays were not simply a day off from school, but she wanted us to know what they meant. Armistice Day was especially significant to her as she was born on November 11. Karen loved to teach and was thrilled to achieve a lifetime teaching credential.
An avid reader, Karen enjoys a wide variety of genres including Religious, Amish, and Mysteries, along with classics such as “Little Women”by Louisa May Alcott. She recommended one that had a huge impact on her “Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back”.
Overcoming Health issues
Karen continued to teach for many years, inspiring her students to be creative and learn. Eventually, she moved away from Northern California for about 20 years before returning. I remember visiting with her at the fitness center with a pool where I took Mama swimming. We had a lovely visit. Karen told me she was recovering from her second brain surgery.
At the age of 84, Karen’s medical history – the health issues she has overcome – is staggering: Two surgeries to remove a brain tumor; during the second one, her optic nerve was nicked, resulting in her left eye going blind. She also survived stomach perforation and even being brutally attacked by someone who broke into her home when she was in high school. Along with a variety of other illnesses, she is now dealing with a leaky retina in her remaining eye, which requires monthly injections in the eye. She told me she is beginning to see progress in her vision.
The entire time Karen was telling me about the various illnesses and treatments she had experienced, no matter how difficult each one turned out to be, I heard a thread of hope that ran through every story. She shared with me several accounts about how an angel came to her aid with perfect timing when she was unable to accomplish whatever she was trying to do.
Angels to the rescue
For example, one summer day, as she felt exhausted walking home from the store, a truck pulled over in front of her. The man jumped out and said, “I’m giving you a ride home.” Feeling very grateful since it was hot and she was still about five blocks from home, she happily accepted. He put her walker in the back of the truck and opened the door for her. Karen climbed into the truck next to his daughter and said, “Hi, my name’s Karen. What is your name?” The girl said, “Kat”. Karen told her, “My daughter’s name is Katarina, but we call her Kat.” The girl replied, “My real name is Katarina too!”
They took Karen to her home, unloaded her walker, and wished her well. She believed that the Lord sent an angel to help her get home as she realized she was so exhausted she might not have made it otherwise. Another time, while trying to move a branch that had fallen from a tree to a burn pile, someone was walking their dog by her house at that moment and offered to move it for her. She was surprised how easily he moved it.
Recently, Karen was out doing errands, and as she got back in her car after shopping and turned the key, it wouldn’t start. Someone in the parking lot pulled a large truck up to her car and gave her a jump. She thanked him and began to drive out of the driveway; just as she drove onto the street, her car died, and she couldn’t get it to start again. Two men noticed her and rushed over to push her car back into the parking lot. They opened the hood and discovered a broken hose.
Thankfully, an auto parts store was just across the street. The men, who, interestingly enough, were named Luke and Peter, got the hose and replaced the broken one. Karen thanked them profusely and started her car. When she looked around, she didn’t see where the men went. Heading home, she marveled that the Lord had sent angels to her rescue once again. There were many other perfectly timed incidents of unexpected help.
The Chicken Shack Restaurant
Karen’s childhood was unique in a couple of ways. Though born in Oroville, California, her family moved to Red Bluff when she was a young girl because her grandfather needed her father’s help to run their family restaurant called The Chicken Shack. One of her new neighbors became a lifelong friend, Arlene Winslow, whom I also became friends with through a writing club.
The Chicken Shack became an iconic fixture in the area, with a faithful clientele, not only for the great food, but also for the famous triangle doughnuts. Her father bought a machine that makes them after seeing an exhibit at an expo in Michigan. He then developed a recipe for incredibly tasty doughnuts.
What I remember most about the Chicken Shack was their jukebox with tabletop selectors on each table. You could choose a song without even getting up. Growing up, Karen spent many hours at the restaurant, as did her daughter, who always said she learned some of her numbers and letters by playing with the jukebox.
When I asked Karen which areas in her life, she was most thankful for, she immediately replied, “Our church”. Her mother was quite involved in their church, and so Karen was also very active in their various programs.
Rainbow Girls Organization
The second thing Karen was thankful for was belonging to the Rainbow Girls organization. Joining at the age of 12, she loved everything about Rainbow Girls and quickly rose to a leadership position. Karen held many offices during her time in the Rainbow Girls Organization and had several wonderful experiences attending state conventions in various cities – even a few in Hawaii.
During Karen’s senior year in high school, she was shocked and gratified when she was given the honor of becoming a state officer: Grand Hope. She believes that being appointed to the office of Grand Hope set her life in the direction of Hope in spite of many and various difficulties that came her way.
Looking back decades later, Karen says she has learned that life is not always what we expect it to be, but none of her bad experiences were ever able to dim her sense of Hope.
Caption for photo at top of the page.
Top row, left to right: Karen at six months, Karen with her dad and his friend. Karen and her brother, Joe.
2nd row, L-R: Karen and Joe, Joe and Karen, Joe and Karen, Karen’s high school photo, Karen in 2026.
3rd row, L-R: Joe, Karen’s Dad and Mom, and Karen, One of Karen’s classes at Lincoln Street School, Karen’s daughter, Katarina.
Bottom row, L-R: A photo of The Chicken Shack from 1938. The arrow is pointing to the Cone & Kimball tower that burned down in 1984. A menu sporting their logo, Two ‘Triangle’ doughnut irons, and a poster about their ‘Greaseless’ Donuts.
Has your world been touched by dementia?
My book, “Finishing Well: Finding the Joy in Dementia“, is a collection of stories and tips about doing life with my Mama. May it encourage and inspire you to find joy on your own, unique journey.