Monday, December 2, 2024
Karen A. (Kelley) Mains, 81, of Leavenworth passed away November 15, 2024, in Wenatchee. She was born on May 21, 1943, to Leslie and Rose Kelley in Omak. When she was a young girl, the family moved to Roosevelt where her paternal grandparents lived. There she grew up helping on the cattle ranch and had many fond memories of riding with her father to gather the herd. She also learned to pack Gee Whiz peaches every summer for Sundale Orchards.
She started high school in Arlington, Oregon but transferred to Bickleton high school and met the love of her life George Mains. They married on September 25, 1959.
In 1964 they bought a little house in Goldendale. With two girls now, Sherri and Kara, Karen worked at the Goldendale hospital and Humdinger Drive Inn to help the family. In support of her daughters, she was a Girl Scout leader and enjoyed taking the troop camping. Karen was a strong believer in education and made regular trips to the Goldendale library with her two girls to check out a bag of books each week.
In 1974 George was transferred to Guntersville, Alabama. It was an adventure that lasted 9 months but the pull to be back in Washington was too much, so they moved back to Roosevelt. Here while taking care of her family, she picked up jobs driving for the school district or sometimes for Mercer Farms during potato harvest. She also was a 4-H leader helping with sewing, baking, demonstrations or generally whatever the kids in Roosevelt wanted to try and take to the fair.
After the girls graduated from high school, she and George moved to Morton helping with her sister-in-law Mary’s Mount St. Helens gift shop. They also began making rock creations and selling them at street fairs throughout Washington.
In 1996 they decided to open their own rock and jewelry business and moved to Leavenworth. Karen loved the vitality of the town and its many festivals. George passed away in May of 2004. She kept the business, and it thrived; finally selling Mainz Haus of Rock in 2022.
Karen loved working on genealogy and family history. She also made the best Christmas fudge and divinity candies.
Karen was predeceased by husband George, parents Leslie and Rose Kelley of Roosevelt, brother-in-law Larry Bowcutt of Roosevelt, brothers and sisters-in-laws Edith and Bob Porter, Texas Mains, Jim Durden, Dan Mains, Charles and Wanda Mains, and Mark Mains.
She is survived by daughters Sherri and Koross Hosieni of Ocean Shores, Kara and Dan Spalding of Redmond, grandsons Philip Spalding and partner Aubrie Roos of Bellingham, and Erik Spalding of Redmond. Sister Emlie Bowcutt of Roosevelt, sisters-in-laws Nona Durden of Alaska, Mary Mains of Leavenworth, and Brenda Vencel Cannady Mains of Sun City West, Arizona, and 16 nieces and nephews. Also, by much loved Brazilian adopted daughter Ana Carla Maruo Palis and her best friend, Ingrid Iosbaker of Leavenworth.
Viewing and Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA with burial to follow at the Bickleton I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Bickleton, WA. Those wishing to Honor Karen's memory may contribute to either The Bickleton Carousel Museum, website: https://acpacarouselmuseum.weebly.com/contact-us.html or Leavenworth Upper Valley MEND, website: https://www.uvmend.org/donate Those wishing to sign Karen’s online memorial book may do so at' www.funeralhomesmith.com' Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.
