Karen Ione Racus

Karen I. Racus, 71, a lifelong Wenatchee resident, passed away at her home in Wenatchee on Tuesday morning, August 30, 2011, following an extended illness She was born on June 6, 1940, at Saint Anthony's Hospital in Wenatchee the daughter of the late Roy and Bernadine (Murphy) Dodd. She was raised and attended schools in Sunnyslope, where she was valedictorian of her class. She then attended and graduated from Wenatchee High School in the class of 1958. She met and was later married to Arden E. Racus on November 9, 1959 in Wenatchee. They continued to make their home together in Wenatchee. She later went to work as a Credit Counselor at Sears before becoming the Payroll Clerk for the Chelan County P.U.D. In 1981, they purchased Wenatchee Body and Fender and she worked as their Secretary and Bookkeeper. In 1992, they started A & K Excavation and five years later they started the Aerco Trucking Company in Wenatchee. She continued as the Secretary and Bookkeeper of their trucking company until they retired completely in 2002. They then wintered at their home in Yuma, Arizona. She was a longtime member of the Loyal Order of Moose in Yuma, Arizona where she loved playing Pinochle. She enjoyed their home at Yuma, Arizona and fishing at their place in the San Juan Islands. She was an accomplished cook who was astute at all forms of needlework, quilting and crocheting. She is survived by her husband, Arden E. Racus, Wenatchee; three sons and daughter's-in-law, Mike & Chris Racus, Spokane, Darcy & Jacki Racus, Kent, WA and Troy & Darla Racus, East Wenatchee; two brothers and sisters'-in-law, Eugene & Diane Dodd, East Wenatchee and Roy D. & Sandy Dodd, Soap Lake, WA; eight grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, September 2nd at 3:00 p.m. at the American Legion Post # 10, with Pastor Ron Yates officiating, In lieu of flowers, friends who wish may make memorial donations in her name to Children's Hospital and Medical Center, PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145. You are invited to view her tribute online and leave a message for the family at: www.heritagememorialchapel.com. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee.

Karen Ione Racus

June 6, 1940 - August 30, 2011