The New Era - All about Sweet Home since 1929

Dec. 3, 1973 - Aug. 12, 2020

Karen "Tootie" (Thompson) Baugus, 46, passed away Aug. 12, 2020.

She was born Dec. 3, 1973 in Lebanon.

Karen spent her childhood years living with her family in Cascadia, in the family homestead near Swamp Mountain Road, and spent the rest of her life in and around her hometown of Sweet Home.

As a child, Karen enjoyed the outdoors, playing with her brothers and sister in the Santiam River in the summer time.

Karen developed her love of dogs in early childhood which would continue for her lifetime. She was rarely without one or more dog companions, often commenting that she preferred them to most people.

Childhood friends remember a fun-loving girl with a laugh that would brighten a dark day and mischievous twinkle in her eye.

Karen had three sons that she loved dearly, who have early memories of her making wonderful dinners, even if the pantry was mostly bare.

She taught them to sign "I love you" in American Sign Language so they could sign it back and forth to each other as the boys left on the kindergarten school bus.

Karen was described as being the best mom she knew how to be.

Later in life, those three boys blessed her with nine grandchildren.

She was most proud of being a grandma and was always ready with a story to tell about her grandkids.

Karen is remembered for living life on her own terms. She didn't ask that you agree, just that you kept a place for her in your heart.

Her family will carry with them the picture of that impish, dimpled girl with the ready smile.

Karen was preceded in death by her father, Frank A. Thompson.

She is survived by her mother, Toni Rowlan; sons Weston Thompson, Jesse Baugus and Steven Baugus; and her siblings, Teresa Thompson, Wes Thompson, Larry Thompson, Vickie Tilkey, Frank "Buck" Thompson, Danielle Thompson and Brandon Thompson.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Karen's name to Safe Haven Humane Society in Tangent would be appreciated.