Karen Sjoquist Jenkins

Karen Sjoquist Jenkins of Fallbrook passed away on April 1, 2012 after a resolute 13 month battle with brain cancer. She was born on Jan. 19, 1948, in Mora, Minn., the youngest child of Helmer and Irene Sjoquist.

Karen attended St. Olaf College where she received a B.A. in mathematics and psychology in 1970. She graduated cum laude and was selected for Phi Beta Kappa. In 1971 she received a Masters in Science of Teaching from the University of Wisconsin.

She taught as an elementary school teacher for the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District for 33 years, where she was “Teacher of the Year” in 1994 and was selected as “Outstanding Elementary Mathematics Teacher” by the Greater S.D. Mathematics Council in 2000. She wrote the book “Kinder Krunchies, Healthy Snack Recipes for Children,” which sold well over 100,000 copies.

Karen was overjoyed that following her cancer diagnosis she was able to attend the wedding of her daughter Suzanne in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and to participate in the planning of the upcoming June wedding of her

daughter Beth.

Karen is survived by her husband Bentley; daughter Beth and her fiancé Nick Stucky; daughter Suzanne and her husband Fernando Barbon; brother Robert Sjoquist and his wife Carolyn; sister Suzanne Kotz and her husband Robert; brother-in-law Stover Jenkins, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service attended by her many friends was held for Karen on April 7, 2012, in the backyard of her house, amidst all of her flowers she loved so much.