I had the pleasure to be a regular house cleaner for Karla ( and Ken). Karla was always joyful, happy and fun to talk with. I especially loved giving love to her adorable dogs. 

You will be missed!

Sending love, hugs and prayers to Ken, Family and friends. 

Jan C.

Like so many I had the privilege of working with Karla.  We shared a mutual love of dogs, llamas and ducks.  Before she retired we would often walk downtown to the farmers market for lunch and talk dogs or farming.  Karla always had a smile on her face and was supportive when work or life presented challenges.   She will be dearly missed.  Hugs to Ken, her son and daughter in law. 

I met bright and sunny Karla teaching a nose work class she attended with her 2 dogs; Timber & Ocho.  She was always smiling and had to very fun and wonderful dogs learning to search. Karla very quickly stole all of our hearts as she integrated into do the community of nose work, and started barn hunt.  She had an infectious smile and a super positive attitude and made everybody around her feel happy. I will miss her deeply. Rest in peace wonderful Karla. YOU will be remembered for all good things! ❤

Karla and I met in 2010 at nose work classes. What a fun time we had with her pup Timber and my pup Sydney at the time. When Timber decided he wanted a new sport to partake in - Karla jumped into Barn Hunt and Timber loved it! And Karla took on a new business in retirement.
Karla had a wonderful smile, laugh and sense of humor even when life was a bit rough. I was very fortunate to spend time with her at her farm with all our dogs running about, or training for future events. She helped me find my English Shepherd and also my current little house. She would go out of her way to help everyone and her presence will be greatly missed. Thank you Karla for so much. 

I met Karla when we both had our first Nosework dogs (she had Timber) and were in the same Nosework class in 2010.  We continued training in this sport with our second Nosework dogs (Karla had her little Jack Russell, Ocho).  I'll never forget when we were competing in the same NW1 trial with our second dogs, and wee Ocho not only titled, but came in 1st place!  Karla was so surprised! But that grin she had from ear to ear was so heartwarming, it brought tears to my eyes.  I was so happy for her!   Karla went on to be a pioneer and trainer in Barn Hunt.  My second Nosework dog became a lover of that game too.  Just a couple of years ago, I had some tough career decisions to make and Karla offered  sound counsel to help me make the right decision, for which I was so grateful.  I will miss Karla's thoughtfulness, tenacity, and friendship. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Heaven has gained an Angel.

I met Karla in 2011 at a Nose Work 1 trial in Port Angeles. Her dog Timber had never stayed in a motel and barked much of the night. They were a few doors down from me. She and Ken took turns spending the night with Timber in their car. After that mostly sleepless night, she was still cheerful and friendly. I think her prodigious sense of humor and her love of that silly dog pulled her through the day, passing 3 of the 4 elements. I cherish every moment I spent in her company over the last 10 years. She was warm, cheerful, compassionate - I could go on and on about how wonderful she was.

I knew Karla when she worked at ODA. She was very well-liked, respected and a powerful force. After her retirement, we lost touch except for a bit on Facebook where I could see she was doing a lot of interesting activities with dogs. When she saw that I lost my beloved corgi girls, she reached out to me and we reconnected. Because of Karla’s warm heart and generosity, I now have her loving Portuguese Podengo, Maxii. Karla will be dearly missed.

It's hard to put into words how much Karla meant to me.  She taught me to love the sport of barn hunt, to  trust my dog and to be patient with the learning process.  Her passion and joy were always on display.  She was as lovable as she was spicy and everything in between.  She loved her barn hunt community and we loved her.  She will be dearly missed but never forgotten.  And, Ken will always be part of the barn hunt community.  I'm so glad she gets to meet her much loved Timber in heaven.  I will miss you Karla and hold dear all the lessons you taught me over the years.  

Karla was my best friend from kindergarten through 5th grade.  We shared so many fun times, the way best friends do.  Like the time we went exploring in the old cemetery behind her house and ended up scaring ourselves to death.  Or the times we tried to solve the problems of the world while walking to school, which we did together every day.  Or when we were about 8 and sat on the lawn at my house, pierced our fingers with a thorn from a rose bush, and became "blood sisters."   We lost track of each other over the years but had reconnected 3 years ago.  It was as if we'd never been apart.  She WAS the central part of my childhood.  I may not remember of lot from those years, but I know they were the best they could be because I had Karla for my best friend.  I will always love her for that.

OBITUARY

Karla Jane Sanders

May 29, 1952 – December 8, 2021

Virgil T Golden Funeral Service

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