Karen Elaine Wienecke

May 28, 1942 – January 15, 2021

Our family mourns the loss of our dear mother and Grandmother Karen. She may have left us here on earth, but her smile, caring nature, and wisdom remain. Shortly after being born in Denver, CO, Karen moved to Puyallup, WA with her mother Corrine Aupperle until after the end of WWII where they were then joined by her decorated father Arthur Aupperle. Soon after the family relocated to Arcata where she attended Stewart Elementary School and graduated from Arcata High School in 1960.

In 1999, after over 20 years of service, Karen retired from the Arcata School District and relocated to Vancouver, WA to be with her sons and help raise her grandchildren. Besides spending time with her family, Karen enjoyed crafting and working with children. She regularly volunteered at local preschools where she taught crafting and worked with special needs children.

Karen is survived by her youngest son Paul Wienecke and wife Lisa of Brush Prairie, WA, her grandchildren Brandon, Brett, Blake, Dalton, Sienna, Haley, and Macy. She also leaves behind her sister Cheryl Loew and husband Richard both of Vancouver, WA. Karen was preceded in death by her oldest son Quintin Wienecke of Vancouver, WA and her youngest sister Kaylene Bergeson of Milan, TN.

The family has chosen to have a private ceremony to celebrate Karen’s life and asks that In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Karen’s name to the National Cancer Foundation ht tps://donate.nationalbreastcancer.org