Karen was born June 4, 1962, in Coeur d'Alene, ID, to Jack and Jacquelyn Forest. As a child, Karen often spent her time at Blue Creek Bay and then later at the Coeur d'Alene River. At an early age, she was a natural entertainer, bringing joy to all captivated by her guitar and singing. At the age of 13, Karen relocated with her parents from their home on 9th Street in Coeur d'Alene to a residence on the Spokane River. Little did she know that she would find her forever love (Husband Vince), her eventual, devoted caretaker.

At around 16, she became an Honored Queen in Coeur d'Alene Job's Daughters. One of her first achievements. During this time, she was introduced to the Lord Jesus Christ and to her faith. This new start and her beginning relationship with Vince, they lived by God's commandments. She had a sense of humor and would share that with her schoolteachers by squeezing toothpaste on the chalkboard tray, then taking the chalk and hiding it. Just one of the few examples she always loved to tease and make light of. She married Vince in 1981 and gave birth to two wonderful children, Daniel in 1986 and Holly in 1988. She became a homemaker after Daniel's birth and spent her days caring for her children until they were of school age.

After they entered school, she maintained a daily routine to stay healthy and fit. She also provided many acquaintances with emotional support and comfort. Everyone she touched knew her kind soul. Her supportive nature had no bounds.

Karen was extremely creative and intuitively mastered many hobbies, including freestyle painting, with many hours spent watching Bob Ross. Musically, she became proficient at 6-string acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, banjo, and, eventually, her true love, classical guitar. She performed the latter with a small group in Spokane (led by Paul Grove). Her vocal skills entertained many at Sunset Bowling and at Karaoke venues abroad. During the cognitive decline of her mother-in-law (Carole Blanchette), she felt the call to perform vocally and entertain at many of the community retirement and care facilities. Everyone enjoyed her gifted ability to perform iconic songs from their generation. Her never-ending support for her children's achievements was infinite. She wore her pride with her smile.

Her vibrant spirit and compassion are things her children and husband will always remember, embrace, and carry forward in her Honor.

She is preceded in death by:

Wallace and Jean Forest (Grandparents)Jack and Mabel McGinnis (Grandparents)
Aaron Forest (Brother)
Jack Forest (Father)
Edward and Carole Blanchette (In-Laws)
Emily Braden (Sister-In-Law by Family)

Survived by:

(Husband of 44 years) Vincent Blanchette
(Son/Daughter-In-Law) Daniel and Kirsten Blanchette
(Daughter) Holly Blanchette
(Grandson) Vincent Behre
(Mother) Jackie Forest
(Brother) Grant Forest

Memorial Information:

A private family burial will be held. Possible future celebration of life (TBD).

"The music is all around us; all we have to do is listen." ~ August Rush

In lieu of flowers, please donate to:

The Alzheimer's Association at: https://www.alz.org/
Hospice of North Idaho: https://hospiceofnorthidaho.org/donate/

We would like to thank Hospice of North Idaho for their loving and compassionate care of our Karen.