All the fun stuff!

 KAREN GREGERSON 

 If you grew up anywhere near Redondo Beach in the 1940s, chances are you saw a determined little girl zipping around the dirt roads on her bike, sprinting across a dusty baseball field, or lugging a cello around. That little girl might have been Karen Gregerson- born in Santa Monica in 1941 and raised just a few sandy steps from the beach with her younger sister, where childhood came with sunshine, scraped knees, and plenty of places to explore. By the time Karen graduated High School in 1958, she had already packed her resume with accomplishments: active in the Girls Athletic Association (GAA), playing multiple sports, and performing in the school band as a cellist, because why choose between sports and music when you can do both? She started her higher education at El Camino College in Torrance before heading inland to the University of Redlands, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Her first real job after several small ones was at a plating company office, where she not only learned the ropes of the office life but also met Rodger- the man who would later become her husband. After just a year of knowing each other they married in 1963 and went on to enjoy 52 years together before his passing in 2016. Together they raised two sons, Mark and Doug, who are now 56 and 51 years old. Professionally, Karen made her mark at Hughes Aircraft Company in Los Angeles. She began as a secretary, moved up to executive secretary, then transitioned into computer programming. Over her 33 year career, she become an IT manager supervising a team of 90 employees. She retired in 1996, satisfied and probably a little amazed at how far she had come from those early dirt road bike rides. Family life grew right along with her career. Karen now celebrates 5 grand-kids, two step grand-kids, a two-year-old great granddaughter, and looks forward to welcoming a great-grandson in February! Karen’s adventures didn’t end at retirement. She and Rodger traveled the country in their motor home, venturing from Canada all the way across the U.S. Much to Karen’s disappointment, a planned stop in New Orleans was canceled due to Hurricane Katrina but they made up for it with cruises to Alaska, Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Panama Canal and Canada. Her biggest and most memorable trip was a once in a lifetime journey to China with the local Chamber of Commerce group. Closer to home, Karen has dedicated herself to community service. She has served on the Sierra Senior Society board for 15 years, including 13 years as treasurer. She currently chairs the board and says it has been her pleasure to serve and looks forward to doing so for many more years. One of Karen’s greatest personal achievements was losing a total of 152 pounds through TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly). She continues to be an active member of KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly), proving that dedication isn’t something she left behind at Hughes. Oh, did I mention she is currently the Treasurer of this organization as well? These days, Karen enjoys quieter but equally satisfying hobbies including but not limited to working on jigsaw puzzles, watching Golden State Warriors games, relaxing on her deck with a glass of wine, playing computer solitaire and sampling and impressive mix of TV shows. Speaking of the Warriors, she does have one item left on her bucket list that she would like to check off - attending a game at their new arena, with her sons joining her for the fun, their treat of course. After a life filled with family, career milestones, travel adventures, community service and more accomplishments than most people fit in to lifetimes, one thing is certain: Karen Gregerson knows how to make every chapter count and does so with heart, humor, and just the right amount of competitive spirit. Hats off to Karen for a life well played. 

Welcome to Sierra Senior Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of senior citizens in the Eastern Madera County area. Our mission is to organize and promote education, nutrition, health, and overall well-being for our cherished community of seniors.

We go beyond just fostering well-being; we strive to create bonds of friendship, goodwill, and mutual understanding among our members, extending these values to all seniors in the region. At the heart of our mission is the commitment to open communication and the sharing of experiences.

As active community contributors, we take a keen interest in the civic, cultural, and social welfare of our area. Sierra Senior Center serves as a platform for open discussions on matters of public interest, creating an inclusive space for voices to be heard.

Join us in our journey to build a thriving community where every senior citizen can flourish, connect, and enjoy the richness of life. Welcome to Sierra Senior Center – where every moment matters!

 Navigating to Sierra Senior Center is a breeze! Once you spot the Oakhurst Community Center, head left at their entrance onto Cinder Lane. Follow the road along the parking lot and a dirt parking area. As you continue, a Baseball Field will appear on your right, and voila – our entrance is right in front of you. No need for detours; just follow these simple directions, and you'll be with us in no time! And, to make things even easier, we've included a map for you. See you soon!