In Memory

Karen Olson (Bednarczyk)

Karen Olson (Bednarczyk)

Karen Christine (Olson) Bednarczyk passed away peacefully, with grace and dignity, on October 6, 2011 at the Franciscan Hospice House, following a courageous five year battle with breast cancer. Karen was born on May 22, 1951 in Tacoma, Washington, the oldest child of Anthony & Patricia Olson of Gig Harbor. She spent her childhood outdoors, playing with her sisters and animals, and was an able assistant to her father on various projects. A graduate of Peninsula High School in 1969, Karen went on to become an LPN, the profession that led her to meet the love of her life, Johnny Bednarczyk, while working at St. Joseph's Hospital. They were married in 1983 and were each other's best friend and soul mate until Johnny's passing in 2005. In 1994, Karen proudly became a Steamfitter apprentice, joining the ranks of the Plumbers and Fitters Union Local Union No. 82 in Tacoma. Karen excelled in any task that required working with her hands from pipefitting, to horse training, knitting and gardening, while maintaining her rural property. She was a no nonsense cowgirl in every sense of the word, and those who knew her appreciated her dry sense of humor and strong work ethic. Karen is survived by her two gorgeous Icelandic horses, Magni and Tata, faithful dog, Boomer, and five kitties, her mother, Patricia Olson, sisters, Joann Billings (Bill), Barbara Heimers (Joe), Joyce Molgaard, and Marilyn Olson, and many nieces and nephews.
 
"Animal lovers are a special breed of humans, generous of spirit, full of empathy, perhaps a little prone to sentimentality, and with hearts as big as a cloudless sky."

 



 
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07/17/12 07:06 AM #1    

Cindy DeTienne (Taylor)

?Karen was a good  and kooky friend of mine in the third grade. A close neighbor ( a mere 1/2 mile away in North Rosedale.)

         she could talk you into just about any thing. I can still remember her talking me into walking barefoot through a swamp 

(she was also barefoot) next to her house , all the while talking about the water moccasins she was sure were there. I was very sad to hear of her death A great loss to anyone who knew her.                                                                                              Cynthia De Tienne (Taylor)


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