Karen Diane Sommer

1938 - 2025

Karen Diane Sommer

May 18, 1938 - July 12, 2025

Kennewick, Washington - Karen Diane Sommer was the first of two daughters born to Vera S. (Alderin) and Elvin E. "Tommy" Thomas. She arrived on this earth May 18, 1938, and left us peacefully on July 12, 2025 - with a full "dash" in between.

She attended school in Salem then Stayton, Oregon. In high school she was active as a cheerleader, went through the leadership line in Job's Daughters, and led her Job's Daughters group drill team. Her drill performance had Marine recruiters pursuing her!

Another activity she enjoyed when younger was singing, including in a triple trio.

Karen Thomas and Keith Sommer met on the Oregon State College campus, and married in June 1957. They had three daughters: Diane, Dennett, and Denise. Karen and Keith wanted to raise their children in a smaller community, so dad joined Welch's Grape Juice Company (now Welch's) in Kennewick. After having moved to New York and Michigan with Welch's, we eventually moved back to Kennewick after a few years.

Karen and Keith were both involved with Jaycees, Karen as a Jayceette, and both held leadership positions within their respective groups. Mom adopted a mouse as her leadership mascot. They enjoyed traveling together around Washington state, meeting and helping others.

Mom was a homemaker while her girls were young, and she worked to keep a comfortable home for her family. After her daughters began attending school, she took on part time jobs that include being a secretary at the church the family attended and time at the local McDonald's franchisee's office. She also incorporated a favorite hobby into a job at Stretch & Sew, where she thrived.

With the birth of their first grandchild, Corey, Karen and Keith happily took on the role of grandparents.

When Keith passed away in his mid-50's, Karen found a job on the Hanford Site that gave her the opportunity to interact with a variety of people, as well as gaining retirement benefits.

When physical challenges made it difficult for her to attend events that she enjoyed, a family decision was made to move her into assisted living, and this benefited her as she enjoyed the company of others.

She initially moved into Bonaventure's Riverton and later joined the community at Fieldstone (now Ciel). She thoroughly enjoyed interacting with her fellow residents and many of the caring staff members of Ciel. She was particularly fond of the live entertainment, such as trumpeter Jeff Peterson (and his wife Adrienne), the Firesides, and the Diamond Ridge Cloggers (that Diane dances with).

Karen's family thanks the staff at Trios, Kadlec, Swedish (Seattle), and Richland Post Acute who have cared for her the past several months. We also are thankful for the staff at Ciel Senior Living who have made her life comfortable and rich.

Karen is survived by her daughters Diane Call, Dennett (Derek) Kolar, Denise Sommer; grandchildren Corey (Andrea) Sommer and son Ryser; Erin (Keith) Mercer and children Audrey and Connor; Noah (Lauren) Jones and children Bella, Eli, Callie, and Caleb; Rachel (Aaron) Alva and children Cerulean and Cadence; Jenna Butler and children Maddox, Dempsey, and Mila; Brian Kolar; Tristan Call; and Stephon Sanders. She is also survived by her sister's sons Dan (Kara) Merchant, Andy (Ellie) Merchant, and Sam (Jennifer) Merchant. She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith; her parents; her sister, Kolette; her in-laws, Ronald and Josephine Sommer; great-granddaughter Emery; son-in-law Scott Call.

A celebration of Karen's life will be held at Hillspring Church, 1153 Gage Blvd., Richland, on July 25, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Join us for memories and fellowship.