Karen Faye Colling

Karen Faye Colling passed away at the age of 80 on May 22, 2026, in Wenatchee, WA. Karen was born September 9, 1945 in Waterloo, IA to parents Franklin O. and Donna Mae Mullen. Karen was a remarkable wife, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, stepmother, step grandmother and step great grandmother which showed in both her home life and among her friends and family. During her school years, Karen participated in a variety of activities including Camp Fire, volunteer candy striper, drill team and voted homecoming princess. After high school, Karen attended NW Airlines School in Minneapolis, MN. She then worked in the communications Dept. of NW Airlines at SeaTac Airport. Karen then moved onto Weyerhaeuser in Everett, WA where she met her soon-to-be husband, Robert Colling. Karen and Robert married in Reno, NV, in 1979. Karen and Robert lived in Silver Lake, WA, a city at the base of Mt. Saint Helens where Karen worked for the Cowlitz Economic Development Council as Membership Coordinator. She then received her real estate license in Longview, WA. Karen and her husband retired in the early 1990's and enjoyed spending their retirement years living in Leavenworth, WA, and East Wenatchee. Karen lived a life rich in friendships and community. She was actively involved in her church and found great joy in spending time with her many friends through golf, coffee dates, canasta and the Women's Philanthropic Educational Organization she faithfully supported. She treasured the lifelong friendships she made and the memories they created together. Karen was preceded in death by her husband, Robert J. Colling; parents, Franklin and Donna Mullen; brother, Franklin Mullen, Jr.; sister, Trudy Lee Kline; cousins: Kenneth Klenzman and Betty Ann Mullen; and brother-in-law, Jerald Strang. Karen is survived by her sister, Sherry Mullen-Strang; brother-in-law, Merritt Kline (Barbara); niece, Jennifer Lee Larson (Brian), and their two sons Nicholas and Joshua; stepson, Bobby Colling; stepdaughter, Cindy Chapman (Ray) and their three sons: Jay, Ben and Bryce; numerous great grandchildren; cousins: Kay Berdan (Don), Kathy Leitner, Dave Mullen (Sue); six cousins and family in Waterloo, IA, Karen's birth state and cousins: Mike Wickert (Christine) and Shirley Krist. Karen will be remembered for her unwavering loyalty, generous heart, quiet intelligence and genuine compassion. She carried herself with remarkable grace and treated everyone she met with kindness, dignity and respect. Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 11:00am at St. James Episcopal Church, 222 Cottage Avenue, Cashmere, WA, 98815. Burial service will be held at Cypress Lawn Cemetery, 1615 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett WA on September 18, 2026 at 2:00pm. Heritage Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Please leave your thoughts and memories at heritagememorialchapel.com

Karen Faye Colling

September 9, 1945 - May 22, 2026