Mary Linda (Paulsen) Karr, an educator, gardener and fiber artist, died on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Moscow, of age-related causes. Linda was born May 28, 1940, in Colfax, to Mary A. (Archer) Paulsen and Floyd A. Paulsen.
Linda grew up in Coeur d’Alene; Moxee, Wash.; Tekoa, Wash.; and Moscow. She graduated from Moscow High School in 1958 and attended the University of Idaho.
Linda met Robert Karr in December 1958 and they were married June 11, 1960, in Moscow. Their son, Patrick, was born Aug. 22, 1961.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in English in 1962 and her master’s degree in English in 1965. She taught in the UI English Department from 1963 to 1970 and completed an MAT in home economics at UI in 1972.
The family moved to Lewiston in 1972, where Linda directed the adult vocational education and GED programs at Lewis-Clark State College and was involved in fiber arts groups.
In 1979, Linda and Robert moved to Newport, Wash. There, they began their association with the Newport Earth Market and ran an organic market farm. Starting in the 1980s, Linda began teaching in the Newport School District’s alternative school program, which she directed until her retirement in 2004. Linda and Robert opened Newport Naturals Iris and Alpaca Farm in 1999, drawing iris lovers from around the region.
Linda moved back to Moscow in 2021, where she enjoyed time with her family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, and her parents.
She is survived by her son, Patrick (Paula) Karr, of Moscow; granddaughter, Tara (Tim) Karr Roberts, of Moscow, and her two children; grandson, Timothy (Teresa) Karr, of Kennewick and his five children; sister, Beth Paulsen of Moscow; and brother, Tom (Joyce) Paulsen, of Elk Grove, Calif.
Short’s Funeral Chapel in Moscow and Sherman-Campbell Funeral and Cremation Services in Newport are handling arrangements. Linda requested no funeral service. Memorials may be made to Pend Oreille County Historical Society and Museum, P.O. Box 1409, Newport, WA 99156.
