Karen Sue Choate

Sue was born at home in North Las Vegas, Nevada the ninth of 10 children to Jacob Hamblin Leavitt and Anna Minerva Potter. She recalled having a pretty normal childhood surrounded by all those big brothers and older sisters. Her Mom and Dad being descendants of Mormon Pioneers and raising children during the depression years, growing and preserving food was a major priority. As a small child Sue's job was getting the empty canning jars stored under the house among the black widow spiders and scorpions.
She often recalled the family sitting on the porch and watching mushroom clouds of atomic bombs tested at The Nevada test site some fifty miles north!
Sue's Dad and his brothers built a house for their parents on her Dad's property so she not only had her immediate family but her Grandparents close by as well.

Unfortunately at age 16 she was diagnosed with diabetes and needed to take insulin shots the rest of her life. This insidious disease ravaged her body for the next fifty seven years.
When she was 18 she met an Airman from Stayton, Oregon stationed at Nellis Air Force Base. She and Chuck Choate were married July 8th, 1961. Upon his discharge they moved to Oregon where lived in Salem, Corvallis, Hillsboro and Keizer over the last 55 years. Sue raised their son Kevin and supported Chuck over a 28 year Career with the Dept. of Corrections. Sue faced many medical issues and perservered.

By 2006 her health had deteriorated to the point that she required skilled nursing care. In July of 2006 She was admitted to Avamere Court at Keizer Skilled Nursing Facility. Over the next ten years Sue received not only skilled professional care but devoted loving care! There is no doubt that she lived as long as she did because of the quality, professionalism and love of the Avamere staff.
At 5:03 Wednesday December 17th Sue passed into the waiting arms of our Heavenly Father. she is survived by her Husband Chuck Choate, her Son Kevin Choate, Daughter in-law Zoie Choate, and her Grand Children Charleigh Choate, Paul Choate and Amber Choate. And Great Grand Daughter Audrey Choate.