Karen Beatrice McInturff

On October 12, 2025 Karen B. McInturff, née Duus, beloved wife, mother and friend, passed away at the age of 86 years. Karen was born on December 6, 1938 in Vancouver, British Columbia. After graduation from Chilliwack High school in 1957, Karen earned her RN degree through Vancouver General Hospital in 1960. After serving a short time serving as a nurse at Vancouver General Hospital, she met Robert McInturff of Walla Walla, WA. They married on November 24, 1960 and were married 62 years. They settled in Centralia, Washington and raised two sons, David and Robert Jr.

Karen worked for years as a registered nurse at Centralia Medical Center in the office of Dr. Cornelia Van Prooyen. But once her two boys graduated from college and left home, she turned her attention to her real love: Art. She enrolled at Evergreen College and earned her Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts.

Her art included works in stain glass, paintings in oil and acrylic and paper art. Her favorite medium by far was felt art. In this medium she created a surprisingly diverse set of art objects that included decorative wall hangings, expressive dolls, music boxes and even felt portraits. Her work was somewhat fanciful and she self-described as a "sublimely ridiculous" fiber artist.

Karen was known for her love of working in groups to achieve various artistic goals. She was a longtime member and participant in Centralia's Art Trails programs through which she displayed her own art and introduced art to others, especially children. She was the featured resident artist at the Mineral Arts and Residencies (MARS) program in the summer 2016 where she worked and shared with a diverse group of artists and writers. She continued to create and share her art right up to the very end of her life.

Karen is survived by her two sons, David (Phyllis Izant) and Robert (Maria), and three grandchildren: Sophia, Wallace and Stuart. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests donations be directed to the Centralia Salvation Army. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Mount Cross Lutheran Church in University Place, WA. Karen will be interred at Willamette National Cemetery next to her husband Robert.

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