Karon Nibler passed away Saturday, May 4, 2019, at the Royal Plaza Retirement Center in Lewiston, where she had lived since 2015 in the wake of several strokes.
Born Dec. 14, 1937, Karon was the second of Virgil and Irene Storey McCracken’s six children. Her father taught school in Rosetta, Idaho, until the family moved to Lewiston in 1942.
Karon went to Lewiston High School, an experience during which her storied creativity and service blossomed. Before graduating in 1955, she participated enthusiastically in the Art Honor Society, in which she held the roles of vice president and secretary. She was also vice president of FHA, participated in Girls’ State, the Bengal Claws, L-Sales, YAC Committee and was a talented member of the Thespians. Karon remained involved with her alma mater through the years, helping to organize her 20th, 30th and 40th reunions.
In 1959, Karon met a Lewiston firefighter named John “Jack” Nibler, with whom she fell in love and married three years later at the St. Stanislaus Church. Together in Lewiston they raised three boys, Chris, Pat and Tom, who remember fondly the family’s love of exploring the Pacific Northwest in their travel trailer, camping along the banks of the Clearwater, North Fork and Selway rivers and all along the Washington and Oregon coasts, Cannon Beach being Karon’s favorite. Karon’s creativity seemed always to lead her toward new treasures on these trips. Wherever they traveled, Karon found supplies for her projects, which were almost always gifts for her family and friends.
Karon was prolifically creative. For years, she arranged flowers at Fuchs Flower and Garden Center in Clarkston, and every moment of the work was a joy to her. She was a talented textile artist who became a familiar face at so many Northwest fabric shops and craft stores. Karon strongly believed in the saying, “She who dies with the most fabric wins” (in Karon’s case, also cookie cutters and Christmas ornaments). Those close to Karon will say she is definitely a winner. Her stained-glass work, ceramics, stampings, wheat-weavings and wreaths continue to bring joy to her family and friends.
Shortly after Karon married Jack, she became enthralled in a new love of genealogy. Karon poured herself into the unearthing of her lineage and explored the Northwest and other parts of the United States to trace and document her ancestors and their journeys. Her work consists today of many extensive volumes detailing the paths and locations of many branches of her family. She even enlisted her son, Chris, in the adventure, recruiting him while he was stationed with the Army in Germany to visit and document by lithograph the family’s ancestral tombstones. Karon was as detailed and meticulous in this work as she was in any of the myriad crafts she loved.
No doubt these traits led Karon to be a valued employee of Washington Water Power, now Avista; Brotherton’s Office Supply; and Camp Fire Girls, for whom her excitement when giving and serving was tirelessly illustrated.
Creative outlets were every bit of Karon’s passion, but so was her husband, Jack, and when he passed in 1999, she became lost for a time. Her family was happy when she decided she still needed to enjoy life, and they were proud when she bought herself a small motor home — her “Minnie Winnie.” She continued to travel and visit family, the coast and even made a few trips to see her favorite singer, Engelbert Humperdinck.
Karon is survived by her three sons, Chris and his wife, Jill, of Vancouver, Wash.; Pat, who lives with his wife, Kami, in Elk River; and Tom, who still resides in Lewiston. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Josh, Drifter, Holly, Natalie, Jessica, Zach and Jonah; four great-grandchildren, Dayton, Joslyn, Liam and Kaden; and five siblings, Retalee Meyers, Judy Smith, Cindy, Jane and Jim McCracken.
Her family would say the perfect image of Karon at her happiest would be sitting in her blue chair, listening to Engelbert and admiring her treasures while enjoying a piece of chocolate and an ice-cold Pepsi.
Karon will be laid to rest at Normal Hill Cemetery in Lewiston, alongside her husband, Jack, with whom she cherished many years in love.
A celebration of life for Karon will be held at 2 p.m. June 29 at the Masonic Lodge, 1122 18th Ave., Lewiston. Please direct any questions to Jason Malcom Harwick of Malcom’s Brower-Wann Funeral Home, (208) 743-4578.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Saturday, June 29, 2:00 PM
- Location
-
Masonic Lodge
1122 18th Avenue
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
Get Directions
Offer Condolences
Professional Service
✔ Since 1924
✔ Burial or Cremation Services
✔ Pre-Arranged Funeral Plans
✔ Web-Casting
✔ Modern Comfortable Facility
✔ Up-To-Date Audio/Video
Contact Information
1711 18th StreetLewiston, Idaho 83501
P: (208) 743-4578
F: (208) 743-9453
E-mail: malcoms@malcomsfuneralhome.com
The administrative offices are open Monday - Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday are by appointment only.
1711 18th Street