Karna Darlene Bruton

April 12, 1941 - January 2, 2021

Karna Darlene Bruton went home to be with God on January 2nd, 2021 surrounded by her loving family.
Karna was born April 12, 1941 in Kellogg, ID to Fern and Alvis Gasaway. While her father was in the army during World War II, she and her mother and older brother lived with her grandparents in Dayton, WA.
After the war, her family spent time in Black Eagle, Montana where she attended grade school for 3 years. After that, the family moved back to Dayton, WA before settling in Hermiston, OR where she graduated from Hermiston High School. Most of her summers were spent with her grandparents on their wheat ranch in Dayton, WA. While there, she learned to drive on a stick-shift, two-ton wheat truck at age 14.
After high school she attended Northwest Christian College and the University of Oregon. There she met her future husband of 58 years, Orin Bruton, MD. Life then took her and her growing family to St. Louis, MO, Washington DC, San Diego, CA, Corpus Christi, TX and Oakland, CA. After Orin spent ten years in the US Navy, the family moved to Salem, where Orin established his medical practice. Karna went back to school, finishing her Bachelor of Arts in education at Western Oregon University in 1982. She taught in the Salem-Keizer school district for several years and at the YMCA kindergarten program following that. After teaching, she worked for the Department of Education at Western Oregon University for 10 years. She and Orin had four children and Karna loved attending her children's athletic events and musical performances. She carried on the tradition of attending as many of her grandchildren's events as possible. She loved going to the University of Oregon football and basketball games when she was able.
Karna was highly active in her church that she loved, Salem First Christian Church, volunteering for many jobs and leadership positions. She taught young people in Sunday school and volunteered to help with other activities. She was the wedding coordinator for the church for 15 years.
God was her first love followed by her family. She was known for her beautiful smile and kindness. She leaves behind her husband, Orin, son, Scott (Wendy), daughters, Audrey Hirsch (Brad), Linda Pokorny and Teresa McLaughlin, 12 beloved grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  She also leaves two brothers, Gary (Kaye) and David Gasaway (Karen)
We wish to thank Doctor Bud Pierce and Willamette Valley Hospice for their wonderful care. In lieu of flowers she would love to see gifts to her Memorial Fund at Salem First Christian Church.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, February 6th at Salem First Christian Church. Note: The church’s current Covid-19 restrictions apply and the service will also be live-streamed.  Assisting the family is Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.