Karen Anne Smith-Bott, 53

Our sweet, lovable, generous Karen passed into the arms of our heavenly father on Nov. 28, 2009. She was born in Hayward, Calif., on Sept. 17, 1956. Karen loved people and animals, particularly her miniature schnauzers. Her dogs were her kids and she stopped at nothing to give them the best life she possibly could. Karen was generous far beyond call. She never thought of herself; she was always seeing the needs of others and doing what she could to help them, whether it was materialistic or emotional. Karen loved motorcycles and took small engine repair classes in the hopes of becoming a mechanic. She repaired her own motorcycles and worked in motorcycle parts departments for many years. On her first trip to Montana she was learning to ski and ended up with a spiral fracture, landing her in the hospital for days and a cast for months! She still loved Montana though and, after traveling to Alaska and living there a few years, she returned to Montana to live out what would be the rest of her life. Karen loved hiking in the woods with her dogs. She did beautiful, intricate needle work, and riding her motorcycles was when she felt the most free. In her special times when she wanted to think and reflect, she would find a quiet place and play her harmonica. Whenever she was stressed or depressed, making music with her harmonica was what would make life seem sensible to her again. She was a romantic at heart and loved to read. She was working on a book about all the trials and tribulations of life when she passed. We wish Karen could have finished the book so the world could have shared what was deep in her heart. Karen worked at Northwest Sports in Kalispell for many years as a parts manager. That is where she met and married Jeffrey Bott. Jeff and Karen had many happy years together. They parted ways but remained true friends. Karen outlived six of her precious schnauzers. Strangely enough, the good Lord decided to take the last two of her dogs just weeks before he made his final call to Karen. Karen could not have passed comfortably from this world if she thought she was leaving her kids behind. Four of her schnauzers are buried in a special place and that is where she requested her and her last two schnauzers ashes be spread. Some of her ashes will be saved to be spread with her parents and brother, Gary, at her surviving brother Carl s ranch in Idaho. We will and do miss Karen terribly and the world was a better place with her in it. With her golden heart we have full faith that she is an angel above, continuing with her quest of helping in any capacity needed. We know Karen would want any memorials to be sent to animal shelters, schnauzer rescues or a veterans fund. The best way to remember Karen is to help a human or animal in need!