Karen Sue Bland, 68, of Tonasket Washington, died April 11, 2021, at her home.
Ms. Bland was born September 6, 1952, at Naval Station Great Lakes to Louis and Lila Jo (Hogue) Bland.
She attended Snohomish (WA) High School, where she was active in 4H. She continued her education at Everett Community College.
She loved animals (there wasn’t a dog she didn’t like), gardening, and fishing.
She is survived by her children, Tina (David) Donaldson-Goldman of Lake Charles, LA, Tammie Donaldson of Lake Stevens, WA, and Michael (Karolina) Donaldson of Schertz, TX; her granddaughters, Stephanie, Abiah, and Raven; her grandsons, Tyler, Ares, Sam, Matthew, and Jonathan; her great-grandchildren, Jaxon, Kaden, and Emma; her brother, Paul (Marilyn) Bland of Glendale, AZ; several nephews, nieces and other extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Anna; husband, Robert Caldwell; her parents, Louis and Lila; her brothers, Michael and Kenneth, and her sister, Elizabeth.
A private service with her children and brother is pending.
Any donations can be made to the American SIDS Institute.
Arrangements are with Western Cremation Alliance.
I miss you so much already mom. I cry knowing ill never see your smiling face. I hope you are with Anna and Uncle Kenny and I know you are dancing with the angels. My best friend my mom is gone and her legacy will continue. Dance mom and soon ill be dancing with you.
I miss you so much Grandma. Honestly it’s so hard knowing you’re not here. I hope where ever you’re at is a suite beautiful. I hope you’re with loved ones that you’ve lost. I just hope that you’re not in pain. Everything in me wants to give you one big hug but now I have to wait a while but it’ll be worth the wait. I love you so much
My heart goes out to all those affected by her passing. May God fill in the gaps of your broken hearts. Although she may not be physically here, she will continue to live in your hearts and memories forever. May she Rest In Peace.
I met Karen through her brother Ken (her best friend), who also left us not even one year ago. She was always so friendly and had open arms to anyone, or to any animal in need. She loved to cook and would never let anyone go hungry. I only got to actually spend time with her in person a handful of times. But when I did she was always so kind and was absolutely amazing with animals. Her love for them was definitely one of a kind and is what made me like her so much right from the start. Her soul is absolute pure gold!
I will never forget you Karen. You were definitely one of a kind. It’s hard to meet such caring people like you nowadays. I feel like you were taken from us a little too soon. But I guess God needed you now. I am just happy that I got a chance to meet you. You’ll be missed by many. Especially your little furry friends. We will all see you again whenever it’s our turn. Until then just fly high and pain free! And give Kenny a huge hug for me. I’ll never forget you!!!
Mama, I will miss you always.
I will miss flying up and our first thing would be finding a Taco Time, I will miss the innocent look you’d give when I asked about a new addition to your animal menagerie, I will miss your ham and scalloped potatoes, and most of all I will miss you being a phone call away.
I will remember fondly all of our adventures – trying to teach me to swim and you and dad jury-rigging a floaty, our trek to Washington from Florida and it being so windy in Wyoming, that we got pushed into the 18 wheeler (we won’t discuss me getting us flipped around in Dallas), the New Kids concert, you bringing me food as I camped outside for more New Kids concert tickets, camping outside trying to get you Garth Brooks tickets. There are just so many memories, I could go on for forever.
While I will miss you every day, I know that you get to see Anna-Banana again, you get to see Bob (the best stepdad ever) again, and you get to see Uncle Kenny again, and that thought makes me happy.
I miss you and love you
I don’t know what happened momma however
I’m really sorry for gone
May you haunt everyone who deserves to be haunted and may God teach you how to Bless everyone who deserves to be Blessed
now that your new torch has been lit
You made it to the finish line momma God speed momma
I’ll miss you Good Speed
My prayers for all who are affected by this loss of life. Especially for her children, Tammie, Tina and Michael. Though I have not seen her in over 35 years, I realize that losing a Mom is the hardest thing of all. All my love to the Donaldson family.
I cry today as I think today would be your 69th birthday. We would probably be fishing having a picnic laughing talking and expressing love. Today I hold your ashes so tight as I never wanted you to leave me. I love 💘 you so much mom I scream to God he should’ve taken me as you were such an angel to so many. Some of you will fly back to the universe over the Pacific Ocean and Tina Donaldson and I will hold onto you for the rest of our lives. Happy Birthday mommy 💓 Tammie
Mom, thinking of you this evening realizing how much I love ❤ you and miss you you. Talking to an old friend about you and then realizing its only been not even 6 months your father called you home. Its been hard mom. So much easier when you were here but you’d be proud of myself and Tina. We will make your legacy live on and we will fight any battle to ensure it. God and you are walking this path with us and I love ❤ you miss you and thank you for making me a strong independent woman
To my dearest family, some things I’d like to say…
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I’m writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there’s no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I’m out of sight.
Remember that I’m with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, “I welcome you.”
It’s good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they’ll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you’re part of my plan.
There’s so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day’s chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you….in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn’t understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o’er.
I’m closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I’d like it for you too…
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who’s in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night……”My day was not in vain.”
And now I am contented….that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you’re walking down the street, and you’ve got me on your mind;
I’m walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it’s time for you to go…. from that body to be free,
remember you’re not going…..you’re coming here to me.
Love and miss you mom so much
Its been a long year without you. God knows I miss you to the depth of my soul. It is so painful to live in this world without you. You know I fight everyday to keep your legacy alive. Mom I miss you and love you so much. Until we are together again, I love you!