Oregon State Archives News

Longtime Archives Volunteer Passes Away



	Karlene Messer accepts an award from State Archivist Roy Turnbaugh and Secretary of State Bill Bradbury in recognition of her long service to the Oregon State Archives.

Karlene Messer passed away suddenly and unexpectedly June 15, 2004. She had been a volunteer at the Archives since 1992, shortly after the Archives Building opened. Originally Karlene's volunteer assignments involved working on processing records but because of her knowledge as a genealogist and family historian she also began working with the Reference staff responding to requests. Karlene worked between 15-20 hours per week at the Archives and increased that time when particular projects required extra time. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Archives users have received the information they requested because of Karlene's knowledge and hard work.



Karlene Messer at work volunteering for the Oregon State Archives.

Karlene was tenacious in ferreting out records for requests, and she enjoyed the research, often sharing interesting finds with staff and other volunteers. She continued to work on processing records as well. She would arrange, rebox and re-folder all the death certificates, marriage returns , and divorce returns each year as they became available for public research.

Energetic (she routinely walked 3 miles a day) and with a lively sense of humor visitors and staff would see Karlene in the Reference Room always seated at her favorite spot, replying to letters. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues at the Archives.

Dedication Plaque

This plaque was placed on the chair used by Karlene Messer in the Oregon State Archives reference room to honor her long service on behalf of researchers everywhere.