Karin M. Simpson

A special angel arrived in heaven on January 5th, 2024, Karin Meti Simpson (Olthoff) of Wenatchee. She passed quietly after challenges with multiple conditions over the recent years. She was 78. Karin was born January 18th, 1945, in Leer Germany, to Meta Gesine Johanne & Dietrich Olthoff. She was the youngest of 4 children. She had a brother and two sisters. Her family emigrated to the U.S. in July 1951 when she was 6. They initially lived with the Steen family on their farm in Worthington, MN. John Steen was a family friend of her father’s. They briefly revisited family in Germany before returning and settling in southern California. She attended Huntington Park High School (LA, CA) where she met the love of her life, George A. Simpson, in her junior year. In 1963 she graduated with Honors and married her soul mate, George. Karin and George celebrated their 60th anniversary last March 8, 2023. Her daughters were born in 1963, 1965, and 1969 while they lived in southern California. They moved to Wenatchee WA in 1972 while looking for work and seeking a place to raise their children. She decided to pursue her lifelong endeavor to become a nurse. She received her AA and nursing certification at WVC and began her career at the Deaconess Hospital (1974-1978). She moved onto Rosewood/Central Washington Hospital in 1978 where she worked as an RN in Orthopedics and Pediatrics. Pediatrics held a special place in her heart. Caring for and helping children is where she flourished. She attained her Pediatric certification and continued at Central Washington Hospital until her retirement in January of 2009. Serving and caring for children of the valley for 31 years. In 2015 she was awarded American Red Cross (Wenatchee) Hometown Hero recognition for courage and quick acting to revive and save her husband George when he had a heart attack. Aside from her career, she loved to travel, craft & needlepoint, write, read books, watch TV and movies. She loved stories and deciphering their complexities. She dabbled in writing short stories and journaled her life nearly every day since becoming an adult. She also took many pictures of her family and travels, capturing her life’s journey. Although she enjoyed travelling, she also loved being and making her home with her husband in the valley. Karin always strived to keep learning and was a great teacher of life. She was a devoted, caring, loving wife and mother who deeply loved her whole family with all she was. She will be greatly missed, but her spirit carries on with all who were blessed to have known and been a part of her life. Preceded in passing are her parents Dietrich & Meta Olthoff, brother Dietrich Olthoff, sister Renate Koch, sister-in laws Sara Mae Olthoff and Marcia Hansen, brother-in laws Felix Koch, Leonard “Red” Hollandsworth, and Pete Hansen. Karin is survived by her husband George A. Simpson, daughters: Katherine J Fife (Chris), Pamela J Baltrusch (Loren), and Patricia A McClenaghan (Brian). She is also survived by her sister Magda Hollandsworth and sister-in law Dorothy Hilborn. 10 Grandchildren: Christoper, Nick, Ben, Tara, Nathan, Samantha, Steven, Brandon, Sean, & Mike. 5 great-grandchildren: Anthony, Clayton, Natalie, Max & Raydy. Her loving Nieces: Jenny, Terry, Lorain, Lisa, Julie, Linda, Debbie & Heidi. Her wonderful Nephews: Tommy, Lenny, David, & Roy. Celebration of Life: To be scheduled this spring 2024, announcement date and time to follow. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guestbook at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements by Jones & Jones – Betts Funeral Home.

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Karin M. Simpson

January 18, 1945 - January 5, 2024