Karen Lynn Goeppert Heikkala, 62, passed away on July 28, 2009 surrounded by her loving family after fighting a long and valiant battle with cancer. Karen was a founding member of the Farm Community and Plenty and had been a Plenty Board member for the past ten years, and Board Co-Chair for the past three years. Karen embodied the spirit of Plenty with her infinite compassion and concern for the less fortunate. Over the years she did work in Mexico, Nicaragua, Belize, and Guatemala. Her courageous spirit spoke truth to power and stood up for peace and justice in the world. Karen was also a consummate organizer and was invaluable in helping to guide Plenty through many tough decisions and difficult moments. Always sincere and truthful, she listened patiently and asked insightful questions. She was a pure soul who inspired others by her sweet and steady presence. To say Karen will be missed is a profound understatement.

Karen and her family lived in Austin, Texas since 1982 and she became well known in Central Texas and nation¬wide for her passionate efforts to further human rights, to improve health care, housing, and legal services for all. While living in Austin she trained and worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. She gave her time and efforts tirelessly in support of the Austin ACLU, Austin Peace and Justice Coalition, Casa Marianella, Marijuana Policy Project, the Austin Needle Exchange, and Austin Recovery Center. She worked to clean up military toxic wastes at Bergstrom AFB, was a counselor for the GI Rights Hot Line, worked to end federal funding for the US Military's School of the Americas, and made a myriad of efforts to stop the use of our military for purposes of imposing foreign policy.

Karen is survived by her devoted husband and soul-mate of 41 years, Tomas, and by her children, son, Orrin, and his wife, Veronica Leon Vivanco, daughter, Leona, and her husband, Gilberto Perez Bravo, son, Ezekiel, and her precious granddaughters, Alma Dulce and Angelica Florence.

Karen is loved by all who knew her for the dignity, respect and personal attention she would give to anyone in need of a friend, counseling or immediate assistance. We thank you Karen for everything you have taught us and all the goodness you have left in your wake.

We want to express our deepest gratitude to three of our most faithful long time donors who
passed away recently and included Plenty International in their estate bequests:

Jane Turner, Thomas Doody, M.D. and Judith Jones.

We will never forget you.