Karen Louise Heys

Karen Louise Marberg Heys was born on February 17, 1938 in Seattle, Washington. She died peacefully on February 7, 2025, just ten days shy of her 87th birthday. She was the eldest of four children born to Vincent and Frances Marberg. She attended schools in Seattle, graduating from Roosevelt High School where she met some of her closest friends who still get together today.

Karen lived on Queen Anne Hill for a few years until her family moved to a home in North Seattle where they lived the rest of their growing up years.

Karen held a few jobs out of high school while attending a business school. She then found her forever job. She worked at Children’s Hospital ending her career as manager of payroll and retiring with 47 years of service. She loved her time at Children’s and even returned in retirement to help in the foundation office on occasion for a few years.

Karen married George Heys in 1961. They were married 12 years and during that time had two daughters. She was always sure that her daughters were well taken care of and had what they needed. As a single mother, she chaperoned the ski bus so they could ski, took them to Disneyland and on several ski vacations.

When her girls were grown, Karen moved to a condo on Lake Ballinger and bought a time share in Hawaii. She sat on the board for both her timeshare and her condo. She was a very active, social and independent lady. Karen was always on the go.

Karen attended both Swedish Baptist Church and Queen Anne Baptist Church in her early years and was an active member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church up until her death.

Karen loved life. She loved spending time with her family, spending time with her friends, and traveling. Karen’s family and friends were most important to her.

Karen is survived by her daughters Heidi Reichelt (Kurt), Stacy Browning (Fred), siblings Ruth Buchanan (Bill), Bobbie Ashby (Don), Al Marberg (Claudia), grandchildren Chris, Ashley (J.P.), Jordan (Michelle), Shaun (Natasha) and Shelby. She also leaves her great grandchildren all of whom she adored: Adiaha, Llewyn, Keegan, Autumn, Hayden, Taelyn and Kolten.

Karen’s celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 1st at 1:00 pm at Purdy and Walters at Floral Hills, 409 Filbert Road, Lynnwood, WA 98036-4934

In remembrance of Karen's life and love, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Seattle Children's Hospital @ https://www.seattlechildrens.org/