Karen Louise (Ortman) Mateeff, 58

Karen Louise (Ortman) Mateeff, 58, “entered the gates of heaven” on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015.

Karen was born to Warren and Margie Ortman in Kalispell on Nov. 27, 1956. She was the youngest of three siblings.

Their family moved to Des Moines, Washington, where she spent the majority of her childhood playing along the shores of Saltwater State Park. Karen developed a great love for water as a child and often spoke of wanting to become a marine biologist from an early age. This love followed her throughout her life.

Karen’s family returned to Lakeside and built a home on Flathead Lake. She had a love for nature and spoke often of her pet duck Sugar who swam with her in the waters there.  Karen attended Flathead High School and became a mother early in life. She and her husband Stephen Phillips had three children, Aaron, Kimberly and Kamille. Later in life Karen and her husband, Mitch, felt the call from God to adopt. Three more daughters, Sayla, Myka and Kaysa, arrived over the years. Karen loved her family tremendously. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. Being together was a great joy for her.

Karen had an adventurous, independent spirit. Kayaking, skiing, biking with her family and spending time on lakes were among her favorite things to do. She loved to travel and grew to love Hawaii in particular. After years of traveling there for vacations, Karen and Mitch made a home in Waikoloa, Hawaii. Recalling her love for the ocean, she and her family spent time searching out sea turtles, dolphins and hunting for shells.

Even with all the adventures Karen had, there was one thing that was more important to her beyond anything else. This was her deep love for her Savior and friend Jesus Christ. She had a strong desire and calling to teach others of Christ’s love for them and the salvation that comes from having a relationship with him. She taught many people of this salvation. It was not uncommon for Karen to be telling of God’s love while walking the beaches of Hawaii, skiing the mountains of Montana, sitting on a flight, or over long distances via the Internet. Even during her fight with cancer, Karen was telling of God’s love and salvation in the halls of hospitals.

There is no doubt that she is doing great works for the Kingdom today.

Her physical presence will be greatly missed by many, especially her family.

She is survived by her parents, Warren and Margie Ortman; her siblings, Arlene Roundhill and Marvin Ortman; her husband, Mitchell Mateeff; her six children, Aaron Phillips, Kimberly McGuffie, Kamille Dye, Sayla, Myka and Kaysa Mateef; and her four grandchildren, River, Ella, Adeline and Anders McGuffie.

Karen “has been reunited” with her granddaughter Kallie McGuffie, and her late husband and father of her three oldest children, Stephen Phillips; as well as other numerous family members that have preceded her.

A celebration of Karen’s life will be held in the summer on the shores of Flathead Lake for her family and friends.