Karen Ann Dowdle                  1951 – 2022

Born- July 29, 1951, in Portland, Oregon - Died-August 13, 2022 in Laclede, Idaho

Our beloved Karen Ann was called home after a lengthy Illness and several medical setbacks. She was a darling and obedient child who loved to read. She had many imaginary friends that helped her through her growing years.  She was a gifted student of learning, graduating from Wendover High School in 1969.  She was one of 16 in that first graduating class.

Her love of learning and sharing what she knew lead her to enroll at Brigham Young University.  She started her learning at BYU in 1969, majoring in Family development and Speech Therapy.  She confided that her goals were and always have been to be a good wife and a well-educated mother.  Hence, her schooling was centered around learning and passing on what she knew to her Children.

Karen met the love of her life at BYU. She met Lee Dowdle on a Sunday after church.  He was the cousin of her roommate, Deon.  When they started dating in the summer of 1974, they were inseparable.  Karen married Lee on June 5, 1975, in the Prove Utah Temple.  They welcomed 6 children into their home over the years.  They are Benjamin Reed, Sean Mikel, Sarah Corinne, Timothy Lee, Peter Llewelluyn, and Steven Craig.  They currently have 18 Grand Children.

Lee & Karen moved a lot because of work and career changes, finally settling in the Sandpoint area in 2009. Lee retired in 2020 from Biomedical Innovation so he could be Karen's full-time caregiver.  Lee stated, "It was the best decision I ever made, second only to asking her to be my Eternal Companion."

Karen has been an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all her life since joining the church with her family in March of 1963.  She has served in many callings; Nursery Leader, Primary Teacher, Relief Society Councilor for 2 presidents, Family History Consultant and a Relief Society Teacher, and more.  She loved to teach others and has a strong Testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Karen and Lee had some major struggles over the years.  They buried their two youngest sons who required a great deal of special care over several years.  This was a great experience because it taught the whole family about serving and caring for others who could not maintain themselves without help.

Even though the family was in trauma, they sent 5 sons on missions and aided in the marriage of their daughter. Two sons went on permanent missions to the Spirit World, and three served in the mission field, along with a marriage of their daughter.  Life was a challenge for Karen.  She rose to the occasions as they came and did very well.  She showed us by living the Gospel and the blessings that come from good living despite life's challenges.

Karen loved to sew, crochet, embroidery plus many Cross-stitch pictures; all part of the stitching Arts that she enjoyed.  She was a terrific cook and a wonderful mother to her children.  She will be deeply missed.

During her later years, Karen was an avid genealogist which she began in her university days. She was a Family History Consultant submitting hundreds of names every year for Temple ordinances over the past 15 years.  Her Greeting into Eternity must have been huge.

Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Sarah Knudsen. Siblings; a brother, Mikel A; A sister, Cathy Ann; her two angel children, Peter Llewelluyn, and Steven Craig.

Karen is survived by her husband of 47 years, Lee Dowdle, and 4 living children and their spouses: Benjamin (Kathy), Sean (Tori), Corinne (Colin), and Timothy (Kayla), plus 18 grandchildren to date. Also, 2 brothers, Bruce (Vanessa); Craig (Teresa), plus many Cousins, Uncles Aunts, and extended family.

There will not be a funeral service at this time.  A special family service will be held at a later date.

May peace be with you, this day and forever.

Sherman-Campbell Funeral & Cremation Services in Newport WA is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancampbell.com .