Sadly, Karen (Bassett) Olson passed away on May 31, 2017, following a brave battle with ovarian cancer. She was born June 30, 1947, in Elma, Wash., to Leighton and Ann (Coughran) Bassett, the only girl with four Bassett brothers.

Karen had a very, very good life. She attended grade school in McCleary, Wash., where she met her lifelong sweetheart John. She graduated from Elma High School in 1965. On July 27, 1968, she married the love of her life John Pierre. As newlyweds they lived in Utah while John was in the Air Force. In 1971, they returned to McCleary where they welcomed son Jason. In 1975, after daughter Carrie arrived, they moved to their home in Elma, where she lived until her death.

Karen briefly worked for both the IRS and Washington State doing data entry. She also worked at Elma Flower and Gift Shop as a floral designer. Her unique gift of design, coupled with her fun, friendly personality made her a customer favorite. For the past 38 years, Karen organized the Country Christmas Bazaar, held each November at the Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds. She thoroughly enjoyed the friendships that she developed with her vendors over the years.

Karen organized both the Bassett Memorial Softball and Golf Tournaments to raise money to award Elma High School graduates with scholarships each year. She loved her Cooking with the Kathies sessions, monthly Bunko games, Sunday dinners, family birthday dinners, annual Seabrook trips, and hosting all holiday family gatherings. She was the matriarch, the hub of her family, and made every day special.

Karen is survived by her son Jason (Missi) Olson; daughter Carrie (Travis) Vessey; mother Ann (Bassett) Einert; brother Don (Jeanna) Bassett; brother Ken (Kelly) Bassett; brother-in-law Ed (Debi) Olson; brother-in-law Bob Olson; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends; and her precious grandchildren Jayden, Kyle, and Kassedy Olson, and Grant Vessey.

She was preceded in death by her husband John; dad Leighton; father and mother-in-law Oscar and Yvonne; brothers Mike and Jerry; sister-in-law Wendy; nephew Austin; infant sons Kyle and Jeremy; and infant grandson Greyson Vessey.

Services were held Monday, June 5, 2017, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Elma at 1 p.m. Viewing was held at the church from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Graveside service followed at the McCleary Cemetery with reception at the McCleary VFW.

Memorial donations may be made to the Bassett Memorial Scholarship Fund at Edward Jones in Elma.

Arrangements are entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary of Aberdeen. To sign the online guestbook and share memories please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com.