Karin Pfenning

Karin Pfenning ( née Wollmer)

02/11/1944 - 10/26/2015

Karin Pfenning passed away at home in Portland, Oregon on October 26, 2015 after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was 71.

Karin was born in Lassahn, (Mecklenburg) Germany just before the end of WWII. She met James (Jim) Pfenning in 1966 while he was stationed overseas with the Army. Despite a language barrier, three chance encounters would convince Karin that the American GI might not be such a bad catch and they were married in 1968. After returning to the states, the family eventually settled in the Portland area in the early 70s.

A lover of flowers, she was a trained florist and worked in that profession for over 30 years.

In her 40s, she took up running and completed the Portland Marathon once and the Hood to Coast relay twice. She was an active member in the German-American community for over 30 years and was a member of the Rocky Butte Preservation Society. Karin was an avid decorator, music & animal lover, traveler, hiker, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends in her backyard surrounded by flowers and birds.

Preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Kathe Wollmer, she is survived by her husband of 48 years James, brothers Henry and Günther, children Keith, Cliff, and Kristina, daughter-in-law Teresa, son-in-law Jevon, grandchildren Austin, Heidi, Sydney, and Reese and many nieces and nephews back in Germany. She is also survived by an amazing group of friends who were, and continue to be, an amazing source of support and love.