Karen Schildknecht Mateo

12/08/1948 — 08/16/2005

From West, Richland, WA, US | Born in Richland, Washington

Karen Schildknecht Mateo

Karen Schildknecht Mateo passed away Tuesday, August 16th at Kadlec Hospital after a long illness. She was surrounded by her family, most importantly her husband Pete, who was the love of her life.

Born December 8, 1948 to Bill and Betty Schildknecht, Karen was a lifelong resident of the Tri-Cities. She graduated from Richland High School in 1967.

Karen loved the ocean. She and Pete spent many happy hours strolling along the beaches of Oregon. She cherished her many nieces and nephews as if they were her own children and she had a big impact on their lives. Karen was patriotic, a lover of animals and spent many hours crafting treasures for friends and family. No matter how she felt, her main concern was always for others. She faced adversity with great humor.

She was preceded in death by her father, Bill Schildknecht. She is survived by her loving husband, Pete; mother Betty Schildknecht; brother Jim Schildknecht, his wife Jan, children Dana, Taylor and Rachel; brother Tom Schildknecht, his wife Robin, children Angel, Brandy, Cortnee; sister Nancy Pickett, her husband Tom, children Nolan and Mariah; sister Lynn Ibatuan, her husband Mark, children Aariann and Blair; sister Leslie Dodd, her husband Ryan, children Cameron, Whitney and Makenzie Cross and Justin Dodd; sister Kathleen Smith, her husband Kevin and child Rylee; and her friend Tammy Tayamen, her husband Steve and their children. She is also survived by father and mother-in-law John and Laura Mateo; brothers-in-law Paul Mateo and wife Lorene, Mark Mateo and wife Claudia, Christopher Mateo and wife Teresa and their son Peter; sister-in-law Ann Mateo. She will also be missed by her great-nieces and –nephews Casey, Alex, Adriann, Keaton, Kailey and Cooper. She leaves behind her beloved Corky and Zuent.

Karen had an unstoppable spirit and sense of humor that was undaunted by years of illness. She could always find something to say to brighten the darkest moment. She left this world too soon and will be sorely missed.

Please join us in celebrating her life. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2005, 1:00 PM in the chapel at Einan’s Funeral Home, Sunset Memorial Gardens, Richland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to HAPO Community Credit Union for benefit of Pete Mateo to defray medical and funeral expenses.

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Karen Schildknecht Mateo

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  • My memories of Karen go back 50 years! What a fun-loving person Karen was. I remember so many wonderful times….We used to gang up on Kathleen to torment her, we’d hang out at Grandma Opal’s and buy candy at her grocery store and charge it to her, we’d race around the hallways at her apartment house in Spokane, we’d play baseball with Grandpa, etc, etc, etc…

    Even though I spent most of my life 150 miles away from the “cousins”, it would always be a real treat to hang out with the Schildknechts.

    I never saw Karen depressed or “down”. She always took what life gave her and believed that “tomorrow will be better”. Now is her “tomorrow” and it is soooo much better for her. I have a great visual of her in heaven with Uncle Bill, Grandma Opal, and my mom. They’re all chain-smoking, drinking beer and playing cards. The most important part is that they’re all waiting for us.

    I’ll miss Karen and I’ll keep her and all of the Schildknechts in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.

    Lin Damrell
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • I met Karen through the Tayamens.Karen was a very sweet lady i will miss her a lot. When i went to the Tayamens we went to go visit her at the hospital. It will be hard without her. i will miss you Karen. Haylee if you need anything call me.

    Haley Meyers

    Haley Meyers
    November 4, 2014
    Kennewick, WA, US
  • What a wonderful lady Karen was. She was always happy and cheerful even when she didn’t feel well. I will miss her happy, smiling face.

    Jennifer Madsen
    November 4, 2014
    Kennewick, WA, US
  • We appreciated knowing Karen at Southside Church and sharing with her at family gatherings. All our sympathy goes out to you in your loss. David and Elsie Dodd

    David & Elsie Dodd
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, US
  • To Aunt Betty and all my cousins,

    I’m saddened to hear about cousin Karen. I know she was very sick for some time but I can only remember all the great times with her and my sister, Linda Lin.

    Karen always knew more than Lin or I. After all she was older than both of us! We learned a lot from her as we were growing up. It seems that she knew everyone. Once she came to stay with us in Clarkston. I helped her get a job at Omark CCI. She came home one night and said I’d been fired. She knew before I did! I had gone home sick; had told the day supervisor but apparently the night sup didn’t get the message. Karen and I each pleaded my case but to no avail.

    I remember many times in the Tri Cities visiting all of you and what fun Lin and I had with you all.

    Karen had such a love of life and such a great sense of humor. I can still hear her laugh. I love you Karen. We will all miss you.

    Love to all,

    Kathy Schimanski Clemens

    Kathy Schimanski Clemens
    November 4, 2014
    Rocklin, CA, US
  • My memories of Karen go back 50 years! What a fun-loving person Karen was. I remember so many wonderful times….We used to gang up on Kathleen to torment her, we’d hang out at Grandma Opal’s and buy candy at her grocery store and charge it to her, we’d race around the hallways at her apartment house in Spokane, we’d play baseball with Grandpa, etc, etc, etc…

    Even though I spent most of my life 150 miles away from the “cousins”, it would always be a real treat to hang out with the Schildknechts.

    I never saw Karen depressed or “down”. She always took what life gave her and believed that “tomorrow will be better”. Now is her “tomorrow” and it is soooo much better for her. I have a great visual of her in heaven with Uncle Bill, Grandma Opal, and my mom. They’re all chain-smoking, drinking beer and playing cards. The most important part is that they’re all waiting for us.

    I’ll miss Karen and I’ll keep her and all of the Schildknechts in my thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.

    Lin Damrell
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • I met Karen through the Tayamens.Karen was a very sweet lady i will miss her a lot. When i went to the Tayamens we went to go visit her at the hospital. It will be hard without her. i will miss you Karen. Haylee if you need anything call me.

    Haley Meyers

    Haley Meyers
    November 4, 2014
    Kennewick, WA, US
  • What a wonderful lady Karen was. She was always happy and cheerful even when she didn’t feel well. I will miss her happy, smiling face.

    Jennifer Madsen
    November 4, 2014
    Kennewick, WA, US
  • We appreciated knowing Karen at Southside Church and sharing with her at family gatherings. All our sympathy goes out to you in your loss. David and Elsie Dodd

    David & Elsie Dodd
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, US
  • To Aunt Betty and all my cousins,

    I’m saddened to hear about cousin Karen. I know she was very sick for some time but I can only remember all the great times with her and my sister, Linda Lin.

    Karen always knew more than Lin or I. After all she was older than both of us! We learned a lot from her as we were growing up. It seems that she knew everyone. Once she came to stay with us in Clarkston. I helped her get a job at Omark CCI. She came home one night and said I’d been fired. She knew before I did! I had gone home sick; had told the day supervisor but apparently the night sup didn’t get the message. Karen and I each pleaded my case but to no avail.

    I remember many times in the Tri Cities visiting all of you and what fun Lin and I had with you all.

    Karen had such a love of life and such a great sense of humor. I can still hear her laugh. I love you Karen. We will all miss you.

    Love to all,

    Kathy Schimanski Clemens

    Kathy Schimanski Clemens
    November 4, 2014
    Rocklin, CA, US
  • I am going to miss Karen so much and feel unbelievable sadness for what we wont share in the future. She loved life, no matter how challenging it was at times, and could always find the good in people. She faced the past several years of pain and suffering with strength and humor, never wanting us to worry. She would always say “I’ll be fine, I just need to get past this and everything will get better”. She was the eternal optimist, always making plans. I greive for her unfulfilled dreams for no one was more deserving of happiness. Thank you Pete for being her one constant source of joy. I love you Karen and look forward to seeing you again. Nancy

    Nancy Pickett
    November 4, 2014
    West, Richland, WA, US
  • Karen was a dear friend to me!! I know in my lifetime I will never meet anyone as selfless,loving,caring or as strong willed as she was. She taught me more about life and love in the short time I knew her then anyone ever has!! I will miss her dearly.

    My love,heart and sympathy go out to all Karen’s family and friends. Karen blessed us all with so much love it is unmeasurable. She will be missed eternally.

    I love you Karen and thank you for blessing my life!!

    Kristi
    November 4, 2014
    Kennewick, WA, US
  • SCHILDKNECHT AND MATEO FAMILY

    FAMILY

    I was so sad to hear of Karens passing. My heart goes out to all her family and friends, and I pray she has found eternal peace.

    Karen and I shared alot of laughs and fun growing up on Cottonwood. I will never forget that she pointed out who John Wilson was to me one day as we were walking up Williams on our way home from Pennywise drug store. Of course I thought he was cute but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that one day I would be married to him. That is just one of my many memories of Karen and even though a lot of time has passed since those days on Cottonwood my memories have never faded.

    Mary Mulroy Wilson
    November 4, 2014
    Spokane, WA, US
  • My heart feels empty since the loss of my best friend. Karen’s friendship was truly a blessing in my life. She was selfless, caring, loving, hard when she had to be, and always forgiving. I wonder how the days ahead will be not hearing her laughter, or her quick wit, or holding the hand of the woman who showed true unwavering strength during the darkest days of her illness. I thank Pete for being the truest hero and making her the happiest she had ever been, and taking care of the woman we all loved and cherished. Be at peace my sweet friend…I miss you Kare Bear!!

    Tami Tayamen
    November 4, 2014
    Richland, WA, US
  • It will be five years since my first ‘sister’ crossed over. It is hard to believe all this time has passed. I can still hear her sometimes, so I know she is around. I can just imagine the welcome she gave to Dad when he joined her last year. Karen, you are always in my thoughts.

    Ann Mateo
    November 4, 2014
    Pasco, WA, US
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