Karen Marie Eichelsdoerfer

1944 in Aberdeen, Wash. to Verner and

Ella Swanson, departed this life on Dec.

10, 2016. She was 72. Karen graduated

from Aberdeen High School in 1962. She

went on to study at Grays Harbor College,

University of Washington, and Western

Washington University, where she earned

her Bachelor’s Degree in Education and

met her husband, Bruce. Shortly after college,

Karen and Bruce moved to Aberdeen. Karen worked

as a kindergarten teacher in the Hoquiam School District

for 43 years until her retirement in 2011.

Karen loved teaching and always went the extra mile for

her students. From putting on elaborate Thanksgiving

feasts dressed as a Pilgrim, to teaching skills through

songs, puppets, and dances Mrs. Eichelsdoerfer always

strived to make learning fun. Teaching over 1,000 Hoquiamites,

she left her mark on the community. She would often

encounter former students asking “Mrs. Eichelsdoerfer, do

you remember me?” and Karen could recall details about

them as a kindergartener. After years of assisting her husband

in selling his pottery out of their home, Karen and

Bruce took on a new business that their children could participate

in. For over 30 summers, Karen ran a shave ice

business with her family at various festivals, including the

Grays Harbor County Fair and Hoquiam’s Loggers Playday

Parade.

Karen enjoyed boating, watching sports, and going on adventures

both near and far with her family. Karen is survived

by her daughters Britt Van Horne of Sammamish and

Kara Crouch (Dan) of Duvall, brother Richard “Dick” Swanson

of Mankato, Minn., and grandchildren Elle, Cate, and

Easton. She was preceded in death by her husband Bruce,

in 1994. Karen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother,

and sister and she will be deeply missed by all who knew

her.

A celebration of her life will be held at noon on Jan. 7, 2017

at the Rotary Log Pavilion in Aberdeen. Memorial donations

to the Karen Eichelsdoerfer Emerson Elementary Memorial

Fund may be sent to Hoquiam School District, 305

Simpson Ave, Hoquiam, WA 98550. Arrangements were entrusted

to Purdy & Kerr with Dawson Funeral Home. She

was laid to rest at Fern Hill Cemetery in Aberdeen.