Katherine Louise Parker

Katherine Potter Parker died January 23, 2023 at the home she shared with her son, Jim Sowles, in Central Point, Oregon. She was 87-years old. She was the daughter of Don and Eleanor Potter of Klamath Falls. She is survived by her son, Jim Sowles, of Central Point, her daughter Terri Sowles-Dafgard of Chicago, Illinois, and her daughter, Beth Beltz, of Aurora, Oregon; her sister Anne Davis, of Fair Oaks, California, and her brother Jerry Potter, of Benicia, California. She also is survived by her nine grandchildren, Megan and Mathew Beltz, Misty Hammer-Sowles and Elizabeth Sowles, and Kristyn and Mitchell Surprenant, Melani Belpedio, Danielle Gbeleyi, and Benjamin Dafgard, twelve
great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, two nieces, Becky and Annie Potter, and a nephew, Jeff Davis.
Katherine often said the best time of her life was growing up in Tulelake, where she loved riding horses, was an accomplished pianist, and salutatorian of her high school class. After graduating from Tulelake High School in 1953, she attended Oregon State College and Oregon Technical Institute. During the course of her life she was married to Bill Sowles, Kent Green, and Gene Parker. Among her various activities she managed the Don Potter Machinery Company Lawn and Garden shop on South Sixth Street. She helped write a proposal for a grant from the Gates Foundation to build a library in Chiloquin. She was also active in the Klamath Falls Quota Club.
Katherine was a devoted mother, sister and daughter. In the past ten years, her health deteriorated, but she continued to enjoy visits with her family. She contracted Covid in the fall of 2022. She was hospitalized several times, but her general health worsened.
Funeral plans have not been announced.