Karen Lee Rideout's Obituary
Karen Lee (Peterson) Rideout, age 82, formerly of University Place, Washington, went to be
with her Lord and Savior on Monday, January 9, 2023. Hours before her death, a brilliant
sunbeam broke through the darkened sky and a glorious, vibrant double rainbow appeared over
the city of Tacoma, seeming to end right in front of her window at St. Joseph Hospital. We take
great comfort in the gift of symbolism we were given that day and we know that she is safe in the
arms of God. She was born October 10, 1940, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her father was a Lt.
Colonel in the Air Force. They moved to Portland, Oregon, near Concordia College when she
was a young child. She flourished in that community, making many friends and creating precious
memories with her parents and sister, Sonja, as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her close-knit
family loved to gather, laugh, sing songs around the piano and play games.
In high school, her family moved to Scotland for two years in what would be the first of two
trans-Atlantic crossings that Karen made in her lifetime. On the second, by ocean liner, Karen
traveled alone from America to Scotland. During that voyage, she caught the attention of a
handsome Purser. It was an exciting yet innocent story that her girls later loved to hear. She was
photographed for a newspaper while on that ship, and her daughters so enjoyed seeing the
newspaper clipping that evidenced their mother as the picture of society, glamor and adventure.
After Scotland, the family moved to Arizona, where Karen worked at Camelback Mountain
Resort. She often spoke about how she loved her time there, horseback riding, and making Crab
Louie salads for the guests (the Rideout girls have fond memories of the Crab Louie salads she
made throughout the years on special occasions). Later, she moved with her family to
Washington.
While on a trip to Oregon with her sister Sonja to visit their beloved cousins Mickey, Romie
(Romayne) and Steven, Karen met Roderick Everett Rideout. He and his buddy Bob Harding,
the future husband of Romie, were also visiting while on a short leave from the army. Rod and
Karen fell in love, and married on December 12, 1961, eventually settling in University Place,
Washington, where they raised their five beautiful daughters. Karen enjoyed church, horseback
riding, sewing, and taking walks near Puget Sound and the ocean. Her apple pie was meticulous.
She achieved a prize-worthy flaky crust and the perfect sweet, tart flavor every time. While in
her late forties, Karen slowly taught herself to play piano and was eventually heard making
beautiful music from the worn and ragged keys of the family piano.
Karen was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend.
There were times she fought battles no one should have to fight, but her heart remained endlessly
kind. She was the picture of poise and grace, beautiful beyond words. She exemplified patience
and mercy with a gentle heart and fierce loyalty. She held strong to her morals and her belief in
the importance of family. And she laughed. Her laughter was contagious, especially when shared
with her sister Sonja.
Karen was preceded in death by her husband Roderick; her parents, Chester and Grace (Leines)
Peterson; her nephew Eric Christopherson; and aunts and uncles Millie and Bill Altimus, Gladys and Lester Lansing, Romie and Walter Maki; and Henry (Babe) and Lenore Leines; and cousin Billy Altimus.
She is survived by her daughters Kimberly (Gene) Tarr, Tacoma, WA; Kristina (Bruce) Schmidt, Tacoma, WA; Laura (Jared) Smidt, Gig Harbor, WA; Mary Rideout, DuPont, WA; Sarah Lykes, DuPont, WA;
grandchildren Annaliese Tarr; Josie (Ian) Brech; Elizabeth Tarr; Grace Schmidt; Kaeden (Alicia)
Schmidt; Satchel, Solomon, Samuel, and Seth Smidt; Colin, Audrey, and Clareese Chipman;
Kassadi (Serena) Rideout; Julianna and Alayna Lykes; Ashwin Mali; three great-grandchildren,
Addalyn Chipman; Finley and Milo Brech; sister Sonja Christopherson; brother in law, Wally
Christopherson; niece Katrina (Jeff) Yarnell; nephews Vasya and Stas Christopherson; and many beloved cousins.
Karen will be laid to rest next to her husband, Rod, in a private graveside service on Saturday,
January 28th at Mountain View Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW
Lakewood, WA 98499.
The Rideout sisters will host an open house reception immediately after, from 12:30 to 3:30 pm,
in the Oak Room at Mountain View (see address above). We welcome anyone who would like to
share in the memory of Karen.
What’s your fondest memory of Karen?
What’s a lesson you learned from Karen?
Share a story where Karen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Karen you’ll never forget.
How did Karen make you smile?