Karla Kay Kienas Fischer, 54
Karla Kay Kienas Fischer passed away April 6, 2017, at her home in Woods Bay, Montana, with her loving husband by her side after a long battle with COPD and congestive heart failure.
She was born Feb. 21, 1963, to Robert and Joanne Kienas in Kalispell. As a child growing up in Somers, she grew a deep love for horses and enjoyed being outside. In 1981 she graduated from Flathead High School.
At the young age of 18 she met the love of her life, Allen Kurt Fischer. After only six months they knew they were soul mates and tied the knot Oct. 24, 1981. With Kurt in the Marines they moved to California and Karla gave birth to their first child, Lacey Marie. After three years in California they moved their family to Great Falls, where Karla graduated from Dahl’s Beauty College and pursued her dream as a cosmetologist at Hair West Salon. Their family grew much larger with Karla having three more children, Lindsay Joann, Erik Allen and Sierra Kay. In 1998 they decided to move back to Kalispell to be closer to her family and she began her new career at Connector Technology, doing contract work though Boeing making harnesses for helicopters and airplanes; her biggest accomplishments included making a harness that is in the space station and making a harness for Air Force One. She always took such pride in her work.
December 2011 Karla was diagnosed with COPD and placed on oxygen. She began to fill her time scrap-booking and spending time with her family, especially the joys of her life, her five grandchildren. She often spoke of the amazing trip she and Kurt took exploring abandoned ghost towns in Montana and loved spending time with her family at McGregor Lake. Karla was very artistic and good at everything she did.
Karla is one of those people when you meet you don’t forget, with a heart of gold and the brightest smile, she brought so much joy to everyone she knew.
Surviving Karla are her husband, Allen Kurt Fischer; mother, Joanne Kienas; brothers, Bud Kienas, Bob and Wendy Kienas; children, Lacey and Adam Kinkel, Erik Fischer, Sierra and Amanda Fischer; grandchildren Emmalene Kinkel, Jade Fischer, Cyler Fischer, Addlyn Fischer, Mary Fischer; in-laws Rodney and Karen Fischer, Cindy and Mark Holzimer; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.
Karla was preceded in death by her father, Bob Kienas; daughter, Lindsay Joanne; and her sister, Brenda.
Karla’s family would like to thank Home Options Hospice for their dedication to Karla and her family. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Home Options Hospice.
There will be a funeral service held for Karla on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home in Kalispell, with burial to follow services at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.