Karen Jean Loso

Karen Loso

Karen Jean (McNeil) Loso, 80, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 20th, 2022, surrounded by family at her son’s home in Kirkland, Washington.  She was finally reunited with the love of her life, Jim, following her very brief battle with cancer.

Karen was born June 15, 1941 in Moline, Illinois to Eugene and Margreth (Schuhart) McNeil and spent her childhood in Orion, Illinois. Early on, she developed a lifelong love of the Wizard of Oz stories, a passion shared by her sisters. She attended Orion High School where she met her soul mate, James “Jim” Loso, and they were still just kids when they married on August 29th, 1957.  They remained inseparable ever since.

While their first two boys were young, the family moved to Seattle in search of new opportunities.  It’s here Jim would find his calling with the Seattle Fire Department and the family began to put down new roots. They raised three boys together: Kevin, Derik, and Matthew.  After Jim’s retirement, he and Karen moved to Cle Elum, Washington, where Jim built their dream home on the bank of the Yakima River.  Here they loved to host holidays and summer river floats, which were always filled with laughter and anyone was welcome.

Karen was a consummate host and kept an immaculate house. She was a great listener and loved to hear every detail about your life while quietly refilling your drink and sliding little dishes of hors d’oeuvres in front of you.  Karen will be remembered for many things, including her love of baking, hatred of spiders, penchant for taking family photos, witty sense of humor, and youthful curiosity. Though above all, Karen will be remembered for her deep love of family and the unbreakable bond she shared with her husband, who always left behind sweet notes and loved her unconditionally until his sudden passing in 2016.

Karen was preceded in death by her beloved Jim, her son Derik, and her parents Eugene and Margreth.

She is survived by her sons, Kevin (Sheryl) Loso and Matthew Loso; grandchildren Jamie, Brian, Dustin, Matteo and Kate Loso; great grandchildren Isla and Parker; sisters Patricia Trego, Sandy (Darrel) Taets, and Dee (Dan) Sullivan; brother Michael (Denise) McNeil; numerous nieces and nephews; step great-grandchildren, and countless friends.

Karen will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue, Washington.  A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, May 22nd, at 11am at The Winemaker’s Reserve in Woodinville, Washington – all are welcome.