Karen Osland / October 19th, 1943 – October 1st, 2024

Karen Osland, 80, passed suddenly on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 in Lompoc, California. She died with her beloved wife and daughter by her side. A lifelong resident of Lompoc, Karen was entranced early-on by archaeology, environmental planning, and the history of indigenous peoples of the Santa Barbara area. Later in life, she combined those interests with art and became a renowned basket-weaver and a naturalist within the region. Karen had a quiet, yet mighty force. With a thorough understanding of the world surrounding her, she became a fount of knowledge regarding California native flora and fauna. And she used that knowledge to not only make her environment a better place, but also perhaps a more beautiful one.

Karen went back to school and graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Karen became an archaeologist for Cal Trans and the Air Force. In 1984, Karen met Kathy Badrak, the love of her life, and the two spent 40 years together as true partners in every way. Karen and Kathy were finally able to legally marry in 2008, surrounded by their friends and family at their Lompoc home.

From life to art to teaching, Kathy and Karen complemented each other well, and were usually found together involved in some project or another. Karen eventually retired from Vandenberg Air Force base as an Environmental Planner but continued to support history and archaeology project work at local firms and shared her knowledge and her own traditional basketry and textile replicas at many outreach events. Karen realized her deep appreciation for indigenous peoples and their daily lives, rather than just in their artifacts. She channeled that love of culture back into her teachings.

Throughout her life, Karen made an impact in the Central Californian region through her work, her advocacy, her art, and her scholarship.  She became a dedicated advocate for residents in long-term care facilities, participating in care planning conferences and making regular visits to local nursing homes and residential care facilities. She was the Chair of the Art Enrichment Committee at the Cypress Gallery in Lompoc, and focused on art outreach programs for the surrounding schools. Karen was also an active member of the Central Coast Basket Weavers since its inception and dedicated to supporting these traditional skills. In addition to her art contributions, Karen was an integral board member and long-time volunteer at the Lompoc Historic Society as well as a respected Docent at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and La Purísima Mission. She also conducted training courses for various Docent organizations on Chumash and Gabrieliño ethnobotany. Karen was hands-on in most aspects of her life, from her art to her environmental interests. Karen quite literally surveyed most of Santa Barbara County on foot! She even led interpretative hikes emphasizing how indigenous peoples managed their environment. Both with Kathy, and individually, Karen taught classes on native rock-painting, basketry, and on the ethnobotany of California native plants.

Though her world was brimming over with partnership and passion, Karen overcame many tragedies within her life. She was preceded in death by her two sons, her daughter, and grandson. Even with such loss, Karen endured and thrived. Her presence has left an indelible mark on Lompoc and the Santa Barbara region—and on all who know and love her—the likes of which will reverberate back into the soil, cultivating generations to come. She is survived by her wife, Kathy Badrak, her daughter, Beth Badrak, her son, Lee Badrak, as well as her granddaughter, Kaylee Alvarado, three great-grandchildren, and many more loved ones. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Lompoc Valley Art Association or the Lompoc Historical Society.