Karen Lorraine King, 56, died April 8, 2003 at Whidbey General Hospital from complications associated with cancer.

Karen was born Nov. 10, 1946, in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, Canada, to William and Lydia Delainey. She grew up in Vermilion, Alberta, graduating from high school in 1965, where she played softball, served as a lifeguard and excelled as an artist.

Karen’s parents retired from owning a John Deere implement business in Vermillion and moved to Blythe, Calif., to open a barbershop. After turning down an art scholarship to Europe, she joined them in Blythe where she worked as a nurse’s aide, while acquiring dual citizenship in the U.S. and Canada. Karen was married to Michael King on April 8, 1996, in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Karen came to Oak Harbor six years ago with Michael and worked as the office manager for their business, AC/DC Electric. She loved gardening, collecting antiques, stained glass work, and interior decorating. She was also an avid bowler. Working alongside her husband, she built their family home in Oak Harbor in 1998. After a yearlong bout with cancer, Karen passed away on her seventh wedding anniversary.

Karen King is survived by her husband Michael in Oak Harbor; two children, Daren Hakim of Upland, Calif., and Shelly Blackburn of Santa Maria, Calif., and by grandchildren, Morgan Brittany Thayer, Daren Gregory Hakim, Jennifer Elizabeth Hakim and Heather Edith Hakim.

Funeral services for Karen L. King will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 12, at Burley Funeral Chapel with Pastor Fred Renfroe officiating. Private family graveside services will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, Washington. This obituary is on-line at http://burley.plan4ever.com.