Karen Elise Barbee, 75

Karen Elise Barbee, 75, died of cancer at her home Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2005, in Kalispell.

She was born Oct. 20, 1929, in Raymond, Wash., to Richard and Hilda Lorraine (Winrich) Jacobsen.

Karen grew up in North Cove, Wash., and graduated from Ocosta High School in Ocosta, Wash. Upon graduation from Virginia Mason School of Nursing in Seattle, she worked as a registered nurse in Seattle, Hawaii and Colfax, Wash.

She and Wendell J. Barbee were married in King County, Wash., on Nov. 12, 1961.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a sister, Caroline Jacobsen Hardy.

She is survived by her husband, Wendell, at the family home in Kalispell; three sons, Charles, wife Annu, their daughter, Uma, and son, Ammar, of New York, N.Y., Daniel, wife Janet, their sons, Connor and Tyler, of Mill Valley, Calif., and Christopher of Kirtland, N.M.; her sister, Catherine Jacobsen Doyle, and husband, Pat, of North Cove, Wash.; also her niece, Sandra Doyle Simmons, husband, Stewart, their daughters, Claire and Lily; and nephews, David Doyle, wife Maryke, and Tom Doyle.

Family and friends were very important to her.

There will be no public services or visitation, but friends and neighbors are invited to stop by the family home to visit with the family from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20.

The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Home Options/Hospice: 175 Commons Loop Ste. No. 100, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Karen's family.