Karen Longhart Obituary

I was on the phone this last weekend, my buddy and I were reminiscing and talking about how we enjoyed Karen as a teacher, I stated to him for years I have been wanting to send here a thank you letter. I decided it was time to make the move to give thanks. While still on the phone with my buddy I got on google to see if could find her address. Then came across the obituary, We both were saddened and I choked up. Again for years I wanted to send that Letter thanking her as being my teacher, a kind person and specifically for the $10 she paid my way into the Senior Graduation party at the Eagles, I could not go cause I did not have the $$. She stepped up. Forever grateful. So much more could be said. Life is not guaranteed be Kind in Love and reach out to loved ones, God Bless all. Karen will be missed; Mark Longtin 1989. PS I still have my graphing calculator.

There are so many things I still think about... Weekend early AM laps, her giant smile & big laugh, & two butterflies flying together.

Miss her today sooo much, one of the nicest, coolest person I have ever know!

Just seeing this in 2024...do not know what prompted me to look up two of my favorite
people in high school. Karen was my best friend and Fred Longhart my favorite math teacher. My heart aches but the memories I have of these two special people in my life. We lived life to the fullest and laughed until our stomach ached! Shared the love of sports and the outdoors. Always in my heart, Karen. Hugs and memories of a very special time in my life...Never forgotten.

Love Karen so much, sure miss her!

Karen and Fred, you are both people I often speak of! My wonderful time in math, and how "I finally GOT it" thanks to ever loving Karen. So patient even when having treatment. She touched my heart and helped me academically even after my class with her. I remember loving the two of you so much that I worked to have the class pitch in 2 purchase Karen yet another pair of "comfy fleece pants" and a gift card to a nice dinner so you could enjoy an evening together. It was hardly enough and no gift or words could return the gratitude for how wonderfully sweet and helpful you both were. She will forever be smiling down upon us all. You will both always have a place in my heart!

My condolences to Karen's family especially Suzie. Your big sister was a great friend and swim buddy. She will always be in many of my high school memories.

Thank you for all of your touching comments. I have lost my soul mate, my best friend, and the most wonderful person I have ever known!! Again, thank you! If anyone is interested in reading my tribute to Karen or her brother, Dave's, picture tribute, they can be seen/read at the website:
friendsofthelongharts.com
Again, thank you so very much. A person could never ask for a more wonderful spouse, friend, lover, or soul mate!!! Fred Longhart

Dear Fred,
I am so sorry. I am just now thinking of Karen's great laugh, and it brings a smile to my face. I feel so lucky to have crossed paths with both of you. I am thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers. With Love, Karen

Fred...my prayers are with you during this difficult time. So sorry to hear about Karen. She was such a wonderful person AND teacher! Just wanted to let you know that while teaching math now I often think of you and Karen! You both made math a great thing! She will be missed! Denise Pankratz Stutheit, former FVCC student

Dear "Mr.Longhart",
I was so sorry to hear of Karen's passing. The love you both shared was so inspiring to everyone and I know this will be a difficult time for you, but know that so many of your friends and loved ones are thinking of you both and the strength of that love will see you through. Our paths first crossed about 1981, when you were my 8th grade home room teacher, coach,and later high school math, but ultimately a good friend. You and Karen both have always been great teachers and true friends to all your students. So many have been blessed to have been your students and to have had your frindship. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your families. I hope our paths may cross frequently. Craig Jore(Sandy Bradford's Son)

Fred - our family will remember Karen always - Daniel especially felt close to her through her teaching and her swimming and her mentoring - she was a larger-than life person and her loss is felt by many. Our sympathies.

This is such a sad way to discover what has happened to an old friend from my childhood. Karen and I swam together on CSST and competed against one another in high school swim meets (Palmer v. Coronado). She was such a live wire then, and I am gratified to hear that she went on to have a wonderful marriage with her soul mate and a career that influenced so many young people. It seems her short life was very full. I have never forgotten all those morning practices in HS and during summer breaks, and I can see her freestyle stroke in my mind's eye. What a powerhouse. She was also a lot much fun at 6 AM in the morning. My husband Mike joins me in sending condolences to Fred, Karen's mother, Chris and Julie, Dave, the rest of her family, and Monte.

So sorry to hear of Karen's death. She was a wonderful friend growing up and I have alot of memories of swimming with her. She made swimteam so much fun. My fondest memeories were when her brother Dave was our coach. She and her family meant alot to me.
God Bless.
Dianne Bobbitt Ford

Much love to you Fred and celebration of Karen's life and your lives together. You have touched my dad's (Dick Schaus') life immeasurably... and mine through that. Thank you for your living example of the good life - of such love and devotion and energy for all. Peace ~ Alethea Schaus

Mr. Longhart, Fred, we are very saddened by your loss. Ian and I have always treasured you and Karen as incredible teachers as well as role models. She will be incredibly missed, but she has left a legacy that will live on through many, many, years in the lives of those she has touched.

Mr. Longhart, You and your wife have influenced so many. I am so sorry for your loss. I am so touched by Karen's story in the newspaper. Prayers and thought, Bonnie

Fred, our thoughts and prays are with you through this difficult time. Thank you for the time you and your wife seflessly gave to all of your students. You have touched all of our lives who had the privilage of being in your classrooms. Thank you for taking a personal interest in our lives, we are forever grateful.

Karen was an awesome math teacher and a wonderful person. Fred, I'm sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

I was fortunate enough to have both Karen and Fred for teachers in school, they are truly amazing people. The Longhart's were undoubtedly the best teachers I've ever had, and I attribute the person I've become today to their collective influence and positive attitude. "Mrs. Longhart" will be terribly missed. Fred you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Karen was an absolutely amazing person who had a far-reaching impact. I only hope she realized the network of people that she influenced in such an incredible way. I always looked forward to meeting up with her and Fred at a conference or on a visit to Montana! Fred - please know you are in my thoughts. Great strength can be found in the ongoing memories and legacy she left us all. She was a role model to everyone and one of the most remarkable people I have ever met in my life. She will be greatly missed!

Coach,
You were always one of my favorite guys growing up and I always looked up to you. If I remember correctly, we called your gal "water rat," an affectionate and appreciative term for her great talents in swimming! I'm sure I speak for the class when I say I am totally bummed and saddened for you man.
Mike O'Dell
Los Angeles, CA

I went to high school with Karen and have fond memories of her. She was very nice, funny, intelligent and an awesome swimmer. I also knew Fred and am happy to hear that they have spent 28 years together. My thoughts go out to the Anderson family during this difficult time.

Karen was a beautiful woman in and out. Everyone who ever knew Karen could see her passion for life. Fred you are in my thoughts and prayers. Be strong, you are loved by so many.

I have loved both of the Longharts and have memories of being warmly welcomed into their home to chat with them accompanied by Tanner Rauk. My thoughts are with you, Fred. I'm so sorry for your loss.

The greatest woman I've ever met. The family is lacking without you. Any family gatherings will be just short of perfect. We all love you, we all miss you. I'll always remember the first time I met you, at the family reunion in Yellowstone and Colorado at Kyja's wedding. I was so young, but I'll always remember dinner that night in the hotel. You made every moment a smile. Love you, say hi to God for us.

Kathy and all the Anderson's. I am so sorry to hear of Karen's passing. I remember Karen growing up in the Springs. My prayers are with you at this time. She was a sweet girl.

Karen and I graduated from Coronado High School in 1978. We were on swim team together, I admired her deeply. She was a leader and role-model even then. She was amazingly dedicated and devoted to everyone she knew and to everything she was involved in. I, too, had Freddy for math and remember hearing of their budding romance. It doesn't surprise me at all that they've shared a loving marriage of 28 years! What a glorious legacy she has created! My sympathies go out to Karen's entire family as her passing is a great loss. May her memories always bring you comfort and joy... Kathi Watts Walker (Santa Barbara, CA)

Karen was our next door neighbor in Kalispell, MT., the best neighbors we have ever had; which is saying something special, for we have many, many wonderful neighbors. Last year, when my mother was hospitalized for over a month, they paid her many visits, lifting her spirits, and mine, too. Our condolences to her family.

Karen had a big heart, sweet smile, and one of the friendliest people I have ever met. I was honored to be T^3 instructor with Karen for so many years. I will miss her.

Mrs. Longhart, as I first knew her, over the years you have touched Tyler and I's lives and certainly made an impact. First, you and Fred were both my high school boyfriend's math teachers, whom I wished I had. Then, you were the dedicated swimmer that woke me up when you came to the pool, so I that I could do my job, as lifeguard. And, after that you became a friend! You helped to shape Tyler and I's lives with your strong spirit, infectious smile and everlasting presences. And most of all, you and Fred showed us what true love and soul mates look like. We will keep you in our memories, always!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Fred!

Karen bravely led the way, first by emailing to all of us her chemo and surgery experiences, and always by admonishing us to truly love our friends and families and to savor every moment of our lives. I will never forget her.

We have lost a truly wonderful woman and mathematician with Karen's passing. Fred, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Be strong.