Karen Sue (Smith) Crane
A Celebration of Life Open House for family and friends will be held on Sunday, March 1 at her house between 1-3pm. Contact John Smith at jsmith6194@gmail.com for more information.
Karen Sue (Smith) Crane of Bellingham, passed away on February 10, 2026 at her home. She was 72 years old. Karen was born in Bellingham on September 13, 1953 and grew up in Ferndale. She was the daughter of Donald (Bill) Smith and Catherine (Jean) Wilson Smith. She is survived by brother John Smith (Cindy) and their children Alicia Roberts (Keith), Jessica Richins (Kevin), Zack Smith (Julie), Cody Smith (Christian), brother Jeff Smith (Laurie) and their children Shawn Buettner (Matt) and Jennifer Semenov (Danil) along with numerous great nieces and nephews. Karen maintained a special relationship with a dedicated group of high school (class of 1971 FHS) friends that were very important to her.
Growing up Karen loved to draw house plans as a hobby in high school, along with a passion for playing softball that carried over into her adult years. She was involved with the Rainbow Girls (Masonic) organization and served as a Worthy Advisor. After high school Karen graduated from business school and worked many years with Snapper, Shuler, Kenner Insurance in Lynden and Bellingham.
Karen was a fearless, curious traveler of the world and was a veteran of countless cruises on Princess Cruise Line. Many times she cruised the California coast to unwind from work. Her favorite trip was a safari to Africa.
For years Karen had a dog named Gunnar who was spoiled and loved. When Gunnar passed she was always on the lookout for a ‘dog fix’ while on her daily walks in the Barkley neighborhood.
Karen loved Hallmark movies, HGTV, the History Channel and documentaries on multiple topics. She enjoyed watching the Food Network but was very happy to make her meals from the offerings of the Barkley Haggen deli. She was always ready to share a worthy program to watch.
Every Friday morning (6:30am) Karen checked in with family members with an ‘earworm’ song title that had them humming that tune for the day even if they didn’t want to! She was extremely diverse in her selection of songs crossing multiple genres. “They (song titles) just popped into my mind,” was her reasoning for selecting the weekly earworm.
Karen thoroughly enjoyed family gatherings, especially the numerous picnics and holiday celebrations at the gravel bar on the family farm along the Nooksack River. She was well known in the family for Green Bean Casseroles and Three Bean Salads for potluck gatherings.
Memories
From Cindy (Madison…
I will miss you, Karen. Was proud and honored to be one of your friends.
From Judy Piovesan Harvey
Dear Smith Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Karen's passing. I have wonderful memories of Karen. Thinking of you as you process this loss. With sympathy and caring, Judy.
From ALLAN JENSEN
I will always remember the times with your parents and mine. Our fathers could tell some great stories
From Kay Elledge Su…
Didn’t get to know Karen very well I am saddened by passing if any of our classmates sounds like she enjoyed a wonderful life and we wish the best to all the family through this time of loss.
From Cheryl Gilbert Moore
I’m so sorry to hear of Karen’s passing. She was a great person and will be so missed. My thoughts and prayers go to her family and friends.
From Barbara Schauermann
Karen was so brave and optimistic, yet realistic, about her illness. I shall miss you my friend.
From Merideth Bliss
Karen was a delight to be with, whether for a quick catch up or a lunch with high school girls! Sending condolences to her family as they learn to navigate a future without her..
From Rebecca Hoekema
She was a gentle, kind person, always. My heart is saddened by her loss. Prayers for her family as they begin to cope with her being gone.
From Paul and Chris…
We are sorry to hear of Karen's passing, but are so grateful that she took early retirement so she could enjoy life after her busy SSK Insurance days with us. Karen was a great employee... very knowledgeable and precise in her work and esteemed by her clients and co-workers. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family as you continue on here without her.
From Bonnie (Bj) Je…
I only new Karen from school, we used to run against each other's in grade school. I aways wonder what and where she was. Sorry to the family for your loss
From Michelle VanderFeer
So sorry to hear about Karen’s passing. I worked with her at SSK for about 10 years until she retired. She was the one who interviewed me back in 2003. She will be missed.
From Karen Klokkevold
We're Karen's neighbors. Karen and her beloved Gunnar were two of the first to welcome us to the neighborhood when we moved in back in 2005. After Gunnar passed, she always made a point to say hi to our menagerie of dogs we had over the years. Quite a few years ago, she was splitting a bunch of her flowers along her driveway, and she gave us a bunch of starts that we still enjoy in our yard to this day. We always think of her when the flowers bloom and we'll enjoy this gift for many more years to come. She always spoke warmly of her family, and we could tell how important they were to her. She was a great neighbor and we appreciate her warm welcome to the neighborhood. She'll be missed.
From Deborah Cook
We kept in touch throughout the years. And I will miss you, always
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