Karen Christine Stelmack (Hofstedt) was born August 21, 1945, at the “new” Kadlec Hospital in Richland. Eighty years later, on January 26, 2026, Karen peacefully passed on to heaven in Richland with her daughter Melissa at her side.

Karen was the fifth of eight children born to Lillian and Harold “Shorty” Hofstedt. She was born into a loving home filled with faith in God, music, and a deep sense of family. Sisters Joanne and Julie called her “Kase”, sister Kathy referred to her as “Tah,” and Karen often referred to herself and signed her artwork as “KC.” Music is an integral part of the Hofstedt family, and Karen played the clarinet, had a lovely alto voice, sang in various church choirs, and most recently played washboard with the Tri-Cities Banjo Grannies. She attended Columbia High School in White Salmon, WA, where she graduated with honors, and was in Rainbow Girls.

Karen had a natural talent as an artist and honed that talent into a career as a Technical Illustrator for Boeing from 1987 to 1995. Her watercolor paintings and Christmas cards are treasured by family and friends.

Karen was the proud and loving mother of two children, Jeannette Wray and Melissa Karen McCall. In March 1996, she married Robert Stelmack, who brought four amazing children of his own (Kimberly, Rochelle, Mitchell, and Mandy) to their blended family. Their 30 years of marriage were filled with deep love and devotion and adventures and experiences that spanned different countries and cultures. They lived in Seattle, Japan, and England and retired to Richland in 2007.

Karen had recently celebrated 40 years of sobriety. Following in her dad Shorty’s footsteps, she dedicated these years to a passion for carrying the message of hope and recovery to others and was well known and loved for her active service in helping others walk that path. We all can only hope to make such a monumental and positive impact on others’ lives as Karen has in her 80 years. Her family and extended family are proud to be a part of her legacy.

Karen is survived by her husband, Robert Stelmack; daughter Melissa Norris; and bonus children Kimberly Ringer, Rochelle Stelmack, Mitchell Stelmack, and Mandy Morris. She is also survived by sisters Kathy Bowers, Paula Kenney, and Julie Wiley. She is survived by three grandchildren from her side and six from Bob’s, 11 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and a beautifully full family of loving nieces and nephews and their children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Shorty and Lil Hofstedt, and four of her seven beloved siblings: Chuck, Joanne, Rolly, and Tom. Karen is now reunited with her eldest daughter Jeannette and her eldest grandson Matthew in heaven.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life in honor of Karen on Friday, February 27, 2026, 12 pm-3 pm at Einan’s at Sunset Event Center, 915 Bypass Hwy, Richland, WA. In lieu of flowers, we ask that a donation in memory of Karen be made to the National MS Society at www.donate.nationalmssociety.org.