With her beautiful smile and endlessly optimistic spirit, April brought warmth and kindness wherever she went. She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, cherished daughter, sister, aunt, loyal friend, and respected colleague. Above all, she was a genuinely good person who made life better for those fortunate enough to know her.

April passed away on October 28, 2026, in Richland, Washington, at the age of 68, surrounded by the family who adored her. She leaves behind a lifetime of beautiful memories and a legacy of loyalty and love for family and friends.

April was born on March 12, 1958, in Richland, Washington, to Ken and Lorrine Olson. The second of six children, she grew up in a busy household on Cottonwood Drive. From the very beginning, April seemed to have sunshine in her soul. She was happy and smiling with a naturally cheerful disposition that would remain one of her most endearing qualities throughout her life.

As one of the older siblings, April naturally took on the role of helper and caretaker. She developed a strong work ethic early on, babysitting, helping her brothers with their paper routes and eventually landing her first official job at age 15, flipping burgers at the Arctic Circle drive-in.

She excelled in sports and earned many Presidential Physical Fitness Awards at Spalding Elementary, much to the delight of her father, Ken, a physical education teacher and coach. April competed in track events at the Pasco Invitational and developed a lifelong love of physical activity and friendly competition.

At Carmichael Junior High School, she played the flute and was a cheerleader. She was a proud Richland Bomber, where she was an honor roll student, selected for the Homecoming Court, and graduated in 1976.

She was someone who was friends with everyone, with a welcoming smile, an easy laugh, and a gift for making others feel included. Many of the friendships she formed during those early years would last her entire life.

After high school, April attended Western Washington University before returning to the Tri-Cities and continuing her education through Central Washington University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management in 1986.

True to her independent and hardworking nature, she supported herself through college with jobs at The Bon Marché, Nordstrom Place Two, the Ski Racquet, and other local businesses. Wherever she worked, she made friends and left a lasting impression.

At age 23, April met Joe King through mutual high school friends. Their relationship grew into a loving partnership, and they married in 1987 at Christ the King Church in Richland.

Their greatest joys were their children, Katie and Shane, and recently their grandson, Regen. She was deeply proud of her children and thrilled to be a grandmother.

Family was always April’s foundation. She maintained close relationships with her parents and siblings throughout her life. Holidays, birthdays, family gatherings, and shared stories were among her greatest pleasures.

April’s professional life was a natural extension of who she was as a person.

As a human resources professional and Head of Talent Management at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), she devoted her career to helping others grow, succeed, and reach their potential.

Working collaboratively with colleagues, she helped develop and implement important professional development initiatives, including PNNL’s Management Skills Development Program in 1999 and its Scientist and Engineering Development Program in 2006. Her work contributed to national recognition for PNNL, including Training Top 100 honors in 2004, 2005, and 2006.

But April’s professional legacy extended far beyond programs and awards. She was admired for her integrity, sound judgment, and thoughtful leadership. She was a trusted voice of reason, a natural mediator, and someone others turned to for guidance.

A naturally gifted athlete, she remained active throughout her life. She loved golf, hiking, skiing, and spending time at the gym. In recent years, playing pickleball with friends was one of her favorite pastimes.

She was happiest in the sunshine, preferably somewhere near the water. Whether relaxing on a beach, spending summer days on the Columbia River dunes, or enjoying Lake Chelan or Lake Roosevelt, April loved the outdoors and a good road trip with the car radio tuned to “70s on 7.”

Proud of her Swedish heritage, April also embraced a family tradition of drinking strong, black coffee – often with a cup in her hand from morning until night.

She loved going out to a quiet dinner with Joe at Bonefish Grill and enjoying a glass of wine. One of her favorite places in the world was her own back patio, where she could sit, relax, and appreciate the simple joy of sunny days.

She was beautiful in every sense of the word – not only in appearance, but in spirit. Smart, resilient, and hardworking, she carried herself with humility and grace. She was a peacemaker, a thoughtful listener, and a trusted confidante. She had a way of seeing the good in people, offering perspective without judgment.

April’s life was rich with friendships that spanned decades, a testament to her loyalty and the genuine interest she took in others.

She loved the Tri-Cities community she called home, building a lifetime of connections and leaving a lasting imprint.

April is survived by her loving husband, Joe King; her daughter, Katie King-Louthan, and son-in-law, Scott King-Louthan; her son, Shane King; and her treasured grandson, Regen King-Louthan. She is also loved and missed dearly by her mother, Lorrine Olson; her siblings, Debbie, Marc (Melanie), Harlan, Gregor, (Lissa) and Shelley; nieces and nephews Carly, Dean, Kenny, and Grayce, and her extended family and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved father, Ken Olson.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 21 at 11:00 a.m. at Einan’s at Sunset in Richland, Washington, followed by a Celebration of Life at noon and a reception at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions to Seattle Children’s Hospital or the Tri-Cities Cancer Center.

Her beautiful light will never be forgotten.