HILL, Karen Faye

Of Newman Lake, Washington passed away quietly on the morning of February 19, 2012 at Sacred Heart Medical Center at the age of 70.

It was a tranquil morning with just a touch of crystalline snow falling from the heavens.

Quite fitting for a woman so fond of Christmas.
Karen was born on November 2nd 1941 in Spokane, Washington, daughter to Virgil and Elsie Wolfe and sister to Marlene and Ronald.

She grew up in Millwood graduating from West Valley High School in 1959.
In the summer of her 18th year, she met her husband Richard Hill at Natatorium Park’s Looff carousel.

18 months later they married on December 1, 1960 in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho.
During Richard’s time with the Air Force, they lived in Zaragosa, Spain, Fairchild AFB, Klamath Falls, OR and Guam, USA.

Upon his retirement they moved to Newman Lake, WA.

She worked for American Greeting cards followed by a long stint at JC Penney and lastly took a position at Costco as a Food Sampler retiring in 2007.
Karen was an active member of the Inland Empire Steam and Gas Engine Buffs where every year she would run the Pioneer Kitchen at the fair.

She loved to bake bread and cinnamon rolls for all of her family and friends.

She was also an active member of the Spokane Indians Baseball Booster Club, and was a season ticket holder for 29 years.

What began as a simple pleasure shared every year on Christmas Day blossomed into a full on hobby.

Karen LOVED Christmas.

She began collecting all things Christmas and had well over 3,000 Santa Claus figurines and a Christmas town with well over 250 buildings.

Preparing her house for Christmas would begin in October where every room in her house was to be decorated.

She made sure everyone’s favorite cookies were baked and ready for them when they stopped by.

She had a nativity scene that began as a small display of ceramic characters purchased during their time in Spain and grew to consume an entire corner of her house.

Yes, Christmas was a big deal at Mom’s house.
Karen is survived by her husband Richard Hill of Newman Lake WA, Tony and Kila Hill of Otis Orchards, WA, Danny and Troy Hill of Liberty Lake, WA, Tim and Erin Hill of Spokane Valley, Katrina and Jimmy Dickson of Greenacres, WA, her grandchildren Seneca Hill, Mike Dickson, Garrick Hill, Quentin Hill, Kascen Hill, Arica Hill, Shawn Roberts, Terra Hill, Ambre Dickson and Davis Hill, And two great grandchildren Lila and Madison as well as her sister and brother-in-law Marlene and Walt Miller.

As well as numerous nephews and nieces.
Karen is with the Lord now watching over us all and hopefully baking some bread or decorating a Christmas tree for us to enjoy when we see her again.

We love you and miss you so very much.
A service will be held on Saturday, March 3rd at 3:00 PM at Otis Orchards Community Church (E. 23308 Wellesley, Otis Orchards, WA).