Name: Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home
Address: Marysville, WA

I am so sad to have just learned about Karen's passing, she and I were childhood neighbors and buddies.  Karen always had a smile on her face and what I will remember most about her is the kindness she always showed to everyone. Rest in peace Karen, your were the best of God's children.

I worked with Karen back in the 70's and 80's at GTE in Everett.  When I think of Karen I remember a kind and generous soul who was easy going and fun to work with.  She was loved by many and she will be missed.  Rest in peace dear Karen.

Karen was such a special lady, full of sunshine every day. We worked together over the years back in the GTE days and we also belonged to American Business Womens association and I remember well the skit we did at a convention one time back in the 70's.. she was Cookie Monster... not sure who I was durning that skit, but we had a blast. I know each and every one of us has a special place in our hearts for Karen.. Rest in peace our dear friend.

I worked with Karen at GTE/Verizon. She was always fun to work with. She will be sadly missed. RIP Karen.

I worked with Karen for 15 years at GTE/Verizon in the Care Center. She had a huge heart, big smile, & was very full of life. She will be missed. RIP Karen.

Jan and family,
Karen was the greatest. We had lots of laughs (all of us) that worked with her. My love to you and your family.

I have known her since we were 5 I have so many memories. I will miss you my friend.

Karen touched many lives throughout her short life & will be remembered by many for her bright smile & the twinkle in her eye.  Peace be with you, your family & all who are left behind to remember you fondly!

Dear Family,
I had the privilege of meeting Karen last year at Bible Study Fellowship.  I was her group leader in our small group.  We all had the opportunity to share the gospel together and travel with her on her journey during her cancer treatments.  She always had a smile on her face and joy in her heart, even during the difficult times.  I will be looking forward to meeting her in heaven.  Blessings and peace to your family during this great loss.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Jan, Larry and family...I worked with Karen for many years and she was one of the BEST people I had the honor to work with.  She was happy and upbeat and always did her best for both her friends/coworkers and our customers.  She will always hold a very special place in my heart.  I know your hearts are heavy and I pray you will find peace.

Karen sat in front of me in High School.  I sketched her.  She had the most beautiful thick hair.

I worked with Karen at GTE/Verizon. I loved her laugh and that smile of hers, who can forget that "hi Honey" welcome? Karen you were a truly wonderful friend I loved working with you on TEAM especially getting dressed up for our Halloween parties, Easter Egg hunt,crab feed. We had more fun than the kids did. I will miss you. Walk with the angels my friend. To Karen's family thank you for sharing her with us, she was truly an amazing person she will be missed..

RIP Karen.Too young too soon. We will miss the friendly "What's goin on" at the beach when we arrived. We will toast with s'mores in your honor.

I was just getting to know Karen at church.  Loved her dearly - such a loving and happy person. Larry and family, I am praying for you all. It is good to know she is home now with her Lord and Savior.

To Jan Michaels and her family My condolences I have try'ed to reach Karen for several months I knew she was ill but not to this point I'm so very sorry she was such a neat person lots of fun if I may send the condolences of Steve and Hiede hodgson they had contacted me several months ago about Karen and I told them then I had no luck in reaching Karen .
Jim Dorsett -- Pease contact me   @plunketjd@aol.com

RIP Karen, I will remember your voice forever! What joy!

I worked with Karen at GTE.  She was a nice, fun loving person.  I pray for her family.

Carol Shamrock-Mostrom

Oh Karen... It is truly too soon to bid you farewell. My memories of pinochle club at your home, the lavish spreads of food, your heartwarming laughter and your Mom's unforgettable giggle make my heart happy to know you are together again. You loved and lived life to the fullest, and shared that unconditionally with all you met.  I thank you for your friendship and your kindness.  I pray your family is comforted by the knowledge that you are cradled in the Palm of His Hand.  Until we meet again....Jeanette

My cousin Karen was a wonderful lady, always had a smile on her face, and kindess in her heart.  You will be greatly missed, but you are home now Karen, in no more pain. My Prayers to All your family.  Love Cousin  Maxie

Gone to soon.  You will be missed by the many people you have known.  Hope that is a little comfort to the family at this time. RIP Karen. Carmen Geiersbach

I knew Karen from GTE days. A fun,happy smart gal. It  was a pleasure to have known her.

Larry and family;

I am so very sad to hear of Karen's passing. She was a bright and shining star to all of us who knew her. I spent many great and fun hours with Karen and Debbie Henry during Strawberry Festivals of the past. We had great times and every time I would see Karen we would talk about some of those times...great memories of a good and cherished friend..she will truely be missed by all of us tht knew her. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers..Walk with the Angels my friend.

Karen you were always a great friend at GTE/Verizon and fun to work with and will be missed, was shocked at your passing as I just saw you and you looked great had no idea you were ill, I will miss your smiling face, God Bless-Sheila Kubat

So sad that we've lost another dear friend to this horrible disease. I met Karen while working at GTE way back "in the day" when some of us party animals spent Friday nights after work at the Black Angus whooping it up. Never a dull moment with Karen around and I feel privileged to have shared in her friendship and laughter. See you on the other side my friend.

I worked with Karen at the care center, right after GTE she was always willing to help , she had a great since of humor. Just saw her back mid December, had no idea. she will be missed, my condolences to her family RIP Karen

What a shock to see your photo in the paper today... It seems like you were just in the store ( Bartell) we had lots of.laughs:) Thank you Karen for listening to me talk about my daughters illness... Your hair  
Looks good:) miss you already

My Love and sympathy go out to Karens family. Her laughter and smiles will be missed .. RIP Karen. I first met Karen when she was working with my sister Karla at the GTE BSOC. You could not miss her.  It was a joy to hear, Hi Honey!
Then many years later with Verizon in VRRC( Repair).   

Rest in peace. May the heavens enjoy you as we did.

You're laughter and pleasure with life will be missed. I know your up in heaven lighting it up with laughter and fun.  Karen you will be missed, blessings to your family here on earth.  Your there angel of peace.

3331 Bdwy-were we first meet.  You always were a wonderful person.  It was just after Christmas we ran into each other again exchanged cell numbers and to talk.  Rest in Peace Karen
Marisa Burch-Delaune

Karen will be missed by all. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

I met Karen around 20 years ago, when she was on my bowling team, she was such a fun person to be around and always had a smile on her face.  I enjoyed working with her through out the years and would see her at the casino every now and then.   Rest in Peace Karen, you will be missed.

RIP Always a pleasure to work with in the ol GTE days.My condolences to the family.She will be missed by all who knew her.

What so say that hasn't already been said? Our family moved to Marysville in 1962 and I met Karen our first year of Junior High (she was "Country" and I was "Town"). After we graduated I moved to New York and Karen and I didn't reconnect until four years ago. I have to laugh because it was like we had seen each other just the day before! What a FABULOUS woman!! I simply feel "special" for having been just one of the people she LOVED.  The tears flow now and I will miss her each time I return to Marysville!

Karen was a wonderful co worker and friend. She was always willing to help anyone in need. A very giving person and always had a smile on her face. She was the ultimate TEAM Rep. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

I'm another blessed individual for having worked and laughed many years with Karen. Her sincerity, warmth and humor made my day--whether she shared  pearls of wisdom or just glanced at me: her facial expressions said a thousand words. And, she was the only person I know who could make "you nut job" sound so endearing!

Prayers to Karen's family for your loss.  Karen and I worked together at the Care center. She was always so cheerful, kind, funny and helpful. What a beautiful person she was.  I am thankful to have known her.
Jackie Romo

We loved Aunt Karen.  See you in Heaven someday <3

I too worked with Karen at GTE/VERIZON she always made the workday so much more fun!She was such a kind wonderful lady. Thank you Karen for all the smiles you gave me! Colleen

The class of MHS 1968 lost a good one. Always upbeat and smiling no matter what was going on. She was a great friend and classmate. Forever in our hearts.

Karen would give you the shirt off her back.  She had a heart bigger than space.  Always trying to help those in need.  You will be missed!

If you hadn't seen Karen for a while...it didn't matter....you would begin a conversation like time had stood still...she was a wonderful woman...that blended humor and compassion....rest now Karen..

My dear Karen, who would have ever known when I seen you in the hospital it would have been the last. Our last conversation on the phone was so wonderful. I will never forget the night I met you at Herfey's I told you that GTE was hiring and the next week there you were. I am so thankful I met you. Such and kind and true friend I will miss you dearly. My thoughts and prayers go to Larry, Jan and family. Love You Always Karen.

Pam Cressell-todd

Karen, you were always such a kind person. I will miss you. Thank you for coming to my husband Dale's funeral, for the gentle sweetness you've shown for as long as I've known you - back to the old GTE days. I know you have a loving family. My prayers are with them - I know they will miss you. God Bless all of you in your loss. Karen was a "keeper".  Marion Pope

I knew Karen clear back when we were kids. She was always the most fun and cared about everyone. Rest now....
Dan Bierman

One of the things I liked so much about Karen, was her quick wit and sense of humor.  She will be missed.

Karen was one of the many favorite customers who came to our office - she was always fun to visit with and she will be missed. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family. Karen was a very kind person.

 Karen and I had a "date" for February 13th, a beer at Kuhnle's, to remember our friend, Bly Wilcox's birthday, God Bless the delightful Karen~she'll have that grand visit in heaven!

I went to school with Karen from 3rd grade through graduation.  But we shared many out of school fun times.  We were in 4H together and shared many horse events and rides.  I never remember a harsh word coming from her lips, she had a good soul.  If we could go back in time I would chose to go back to those days.  RIP Karen... we will ride again.

Karen was a great friend and I will always remember how much fun we had over the years. We went on many vacations together and I lots of great memories of her.  RIP Karen.

Karen and i go back a long ways, being neighbors,going through grade to graduation, we were berry picker buddies and I am saddened with the loss of such a fine person,so many laughs and memories she left us with. I do express my sincere sympathy to Larry, Janice and there familys. she will be missed alot. Our class reunion in Sept. will have a huge voed without her laughter.

I enjoyed working with Karen at the CARE Center many years ago.  She made the work fun!  Even though I am saddened hearing the news I am smiling thinking of her!  So sorry for your loss. She was very sweet and one of a kind.

Karen was always smiling, such a happy and fun loving person.  GTE/VZ was a better place because of her.  My thoughts and prayers go to you, her family, the light of her eye. Vanessa Horning

Swanson family,
We are so sorry to hear of you loss of your Auntie Karen. She will be dearly missed.
Gary & Amy Keaton

So sorry to hear of Karen's passing. She was thoughtful and kind and will be truly missed by all. RIP
Alicia (Covert)Mose

Karen possessed that unique quality in a friend that was rare tenderly witty and heartwarming. Over the years in Junior High and Highschool my fondest memories were when Karen and Debbie McGinnis would terrorize our teachers with a constant barrage of clever notions...Karen's laugh was so contagious that neither Mr Bailey nor Mr Schaefer ever disciplined her.  Her love as a friend was constant and her warmth was enduring. What a treasure it was to have her as a friend. My condolences to  all of her family.  Patrick J Tomulty

So sorry to hear about Karen. I will miss running into her and having such great chats. Peace to her family.

Will dearly miss Karen....quick to entertain anyone with a story or two and always looking at the positive side.

We are so sorry to hear about Karen.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.  We didn't see her 
very often, but when we did, she was a lot of fun and she 
had a great sense of humor.  Our deepest sympathy to her family.  She will live on in the wonderful memories she left behind.         
Steve and Nancy Winters

What a terrific loss.  Karen was a salt of the earth person.  She will be missed. Not a pretentious bone in her body.  God Bless you Karen.  Mark Hinricksen (Marysville, Wa.)

I went all through school from 2nd grade through graduation with Karen.  She was always full of smiles and her laugh was contagious. RIP Karen..

I worked with Karen for many years at GTE/Verizon. What a wonderful person she was to work with. Her radiant smile and her willingness to assist others she was an inspiration to all of us. RIP Karen my  love to all her family at this time

I am saddened to hear of the loss of Karen having worked with her for many years. She was a wonderful person.  May God's blessings help her family thru this difficult time. 

                                                   Karen D. Hill(Lynnwood, WA)

I worked with Karen back in the old GTE days. She was always full of life and such a hoot! Prayers to her family during this difficult time. Treasure the memories until you meet again.

I too worked with Karen...So sorry for her loss...My thoughts are with her and her family in this tough time..She was a wonderful person........RIP...

I worked with Karen and sat beside her at the BSOC in Everett. She was such a fun lady. We laughed together and cried together. Her presence will be missed. May God bless you, her family. I know youy have many wonderful memories.

I worked with Karen for 15 yrs. She was a wonderful woman and had an amazing smile & laugh. She will be dearly missed. She loved her family and my heart breaks for them. God bless.

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Karen.  My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.  She was such a fun person and so kind to everyone.  Love, Ronda

Karen was such a nice person. I loved how she would call you honey when she spoke to you. She was a really great cook. She always made you smile. I last saw her at a friends Christmas party. We had a long talk about what she was going threw. I am so glad I was able to see her once again. She will be missed by all that knew her. My deepest sympathy to her family .

Karen was a Sunny Side of Life person.  Her smile and laugh and wonderful spirit will be missed.  Peace to her family.

For a wonderful human being who made a lot of people laugh, which is the best medicine.  She will be remembered fondly.

OBITUARY

Karen Marie Swanson

April 3, 1950 – January 28, 2013

Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home

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