Karin (Yde) Weaver was born to Aksel Yde and Jenny Ella (Olesen) Yde on November 24, 1942, in Denmark. Her father was a well known baker and her mother worked at a local bar and helped grow flowers. Before Karin was born, the Nazi occupation of Denmark began in 1940 and would leave its mark on the family when they forced their way into the family home and set up camp. If there is one thing to be known about our family, it’s that we are ALL stubborn by our very nature, and when we are passionate about something, we will give it our all.

During WWII, both Aksel and Ella Yde participated in the underground effort to ensure no Jew was harmed by the Nazi’s that had invaded our homeland. While they were living in our home, under the same roof as Karin and her siblings Leif, John and Mona, Aksel was smuggling ammo with bread deliveries to other members of the underground. Right under the noses of men led by a mad man, Karin’s father helped countless lives. Denmark goes down in history as having an extraordinarily high survival rate of Jews. Approximately 90% made it to safety.

September 6, 1948, a few months before her 6th birthday, they boarded a Scandinavian airline in Copenhagen and flew to America where they landed at Ellis Island in New York City and began their new lives. Sponsored by Jenny Ella (Olesen) Yde’s Uncle Carl Hansen, they made their way to Woodland Calif. Here, Aksel worked as a baker despite not knowing English but slowly learned as John and Karin came home from school and taught both Aksel and Ella. In 1953, they all became U.S. citizens. They lived there for a few years before settling in Willits, Calif., where Aksel pursued the “American Dream” and opened a bakery of his own where the whole family worked.

November 24, 1960, Karin Yde married her first husband in Mendocino, Calif., with whom she had two children, Edgar and Signe Best.

February 6, 1980, Karin Yde married Michael Cameron Weaver in Contra Costa, Calif., with whom she welcomed the addition of his daughters Nancy, Karen and Stacy Weaver, whom she loved and considered them, without a doubt, her children as well.

Karin and Michael moved to Oklahoma around 1990, where they bought a home in Okmulgee that would be the source of many memories for children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many more.

Karin had many different jobs throughout her life, but the following are ones that have left a lasting memory: BNSF – Karin worked for the railroad in California, where she would row her boat across the water, climb up to the November 24, 1942 – March 20, 2025

railroad switch that physically changed the tracks so the trains could move from one to the other.

Anne Moroney’s Karin worked for this local non-profit youth service, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, where she did data entry using an old DOS computer. The mental image of the black screen with green text is hard to forget.

She also spent time at the local jail, sitting with troubled youth, and just being someone for them to talk to if they wanted, or simply to help them not feel as alone.

In her later years Karin was mainly a homemaker, taking care of her husband, affectionately known as Mike. She enjoyed many different hobbies, most notably her unbelievable talent to crochet, knit and sew anything and everything. She won multiple blue ribbons at the local Okmulgee County Fair for her intricate creations.

Karin was a shining light for many people. Whether you were family, friend, or even a complete stranger, she loved and cared for you. She listened, and didn’t judge. Always put others first. She could give Mother Teresa a run for her money and will be greatly missed. May her legacy live on through everyone that has ever known her, and may anyone reading her obituary also know that they are loved, and to never give up.

Karin is preceded in death by her mother and father, Jenny Ella (Olesen) Yde and Aksel Yde, brothers Glen and Leif Yde, and great-great granddaughter Brianna Casto.

Karin is survived by:

• Husband Michael C. Weaver

• Stepdaughter Nancy (Weaver) Schaefers

• Granddaughter Camryn Christensen

• Stepdaughter Karen Weaver

• Stepdaughter Stacy (Weaver) Underhill

• Grandsons Michael & Chadd Troedel

• Sister Mona Yde

• Brother John Yde (Gail Yde)

• Son Edgar Best (Mona Best)

• Granddaughter Annie (Best) Casto

• Great Grandson Masen Benge

• Great Granddaughter Ashlyn Casto Marcus Day

• Great-Great Granddaughter Everleigh Wren Day

• Granddaughter Kimberly Gail Bradley (Tim Bradley)

• Great Granddaughter Emily Gail Newton

• Great-Great Grandson Harrison Wolfe

• Great Granddaughter Cooper Gail Newton

• Great Grandson Josiah Alan Newton

• Granddaughter Teresa Best

• Grandson

• Great Granddaughter Navaeh Gail Best

• Great Grandson Eyli Best

• Daughter Signe (Best) Carr (Jack Carr)

• Grandson Lester Gifford • Great Grandson Aiden Gifford

• Granddaughter Jessica Karin Best A celebration of life will be held Thursday, April 3, from 3-5 p.m. in the dining room at St. Anthony’s gym, 515 S. Morton Ave. in Okmulgee.

It will be a come-andgo to give everyone an opportunity to meet with the family and share stories.