Karen Hill was born in Burley, Idaho, as Karen Nichols, she moved with her family to Washington as a young girl, then to Louisiana in her teens, where she met and married the love of her life, Larry Hill, a young Navy man.
Shortly after their marriage, Karen and Larry returned to Washington state, where they made there home and raised their daughter.
Karen is survived by her husband of 44 years, Larry; daughter, Brenda Balyeat and her husband, Ben; and two grandsons, Carey and Seth, all of Marysville. She is also survived by two sisters; Norma White of Spokane, and Colleen Brisendine of Puyallup. She also leaves behind 12 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father Lee Nichols, her mother Dorothy Harper, Step-father Joe Harper, and two sisters, Nancy Bergman and Shirley Heilman.
Karen was a long time resident of Kent, and moved to Arlington in 1986, where she and Larry lived till her retirement from Boeing in 2002.
Karen passed away suddenly of heart failure in Cincinnati, Ohio, while fulfilling her dreams of touring the U.S. in an RV “Her Home” of 7 years, with her husband, Larry.
Karen and Larry were having the time of their lives, seeing and doing the things they wanted to do as retirees, being “snow birds.” Larry is continuing with that dream with Karen’s ashes by his side, a decision they made long ago if one of them were to pass before they finished their tour.
By all that knew her, Karen was a very caring, loving, and giving person, and will be missed by all.