Karen "Casey" Carlson-Iffert

She was born in 1941 to Maxwell and Willadee Carlson. She grew up tagging along on the older neighborhood children’s adventures with her big brother, Deane. She spent summers riding horses at a dude ranch. She loved her family dearly.

The world opened up to her in high school and college, when she spent four life-changing years in Switzerland and France. She studied (sometimes). She learned to ski. She ate chocolate and smoked cigarettes. She fell in love. She made friends from all over Europe.

When she returned to the US, she attended Washington State University and then joined the working world. She did research for Sunset Magazine and acted as a model. Her curious eyes and fabulous figure graced many an edition, as did the information she learned about native plants, newly remodeled homes, prime vacation spots, and growing vegetables.

She met Sy Iffert at a Young Republican meeting and married him “for his sunken living room.” Together, they raised two girls – Jena and Teresa. Casey was a great mum, giving hugs, reading books out loud, creating Halloween costumes, and driving carpool. She painted perfect circle cheeks on toy soldiers for PNB’s Nutcracker and acted as co-chair of the Lakeside Rummage Sale. She took every opportunity to travel with her family, from Girl Scout camping trips to international trips to see friends and history. She mowed the back 40 of her family’s home on Hood Canal and managed the tree farm. She created a tradition of annual trips to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

After age forty, she came fully into her own stride. She travelled more of the world with friends. She became an Artist Aide for Seattle Opera, shuttling set directors, maestros, and other artists to and from rehearsal and SeaTac airport. She planned many years of Wednesday afternoon lectures for the Sunset Club, insisting we are better people when our brains are inquisitive and engaged.

Through it all, she was curious about the people around her, ensuring each one felt accepted and interesting.

She passed away on January 4, 2021, leaving her two daughters, their husbands, Justin and Andrew, and her granddaughter, Makayla. We miss her and her sparking smile already.