_______________________________________
I don't care WHAT it says above this line, it's an ADVERTISEMENT
It's there because this Tripod account is FREE
_______________________________________

KAREN SCHILDKNECHT MATEO ~ Class of 1967
December 8, 1948 - August 16, 2005

Karen Schildknecht Mateo passed away Tuesday, August 16th at Kadlec Hospital after a long illness.
She was surrounded by her family, most importantly her husband Pete, who was the love of her life.

Born December 8, 1948 to Bill and Betty Schildknecht, Karen was a lifelong resident of the Tri-
Cities. She graduated from Columbia (Richland) High School in 1967.

Karen loved the ocean. She and Pete spent many happy hours strolling along the beaches of Oregon.
She cherished her many nieces and nephews as if they were her own children and she had a big impact
on their lives. Karen was patriotic, a lover of animals and spent many hours crafting treasures 
for friends and family. No matter how she felt, her main concern was always for others. She faced
adversity with great humor.

She was preceded in death by her father, Bill Schildknecht. She is survived by her loving husband,
Pete; mother Betty Schildknecht; brother Jim Schildknecht ('66), his wife Jan, children Dana, Taylor 
and Rachel; brother Tom Schildknecht ('70), his wife Robin ('74), children Angel, Brandy, Cortnee; 
sister Nancy Schildknecht Pickett ('71), her husband Tom, children Nolan and Mariah; sister Lynn 
Schildknecht Ibatuan ('74), her husband Mark ('74), children Aariann and Blair; sister Leslie 
Schildknecht Dodd ('79), her husband Ryan ('84), children Cameron, Whitney and Makenzie Cross and 
Justin Dodd; sister Kathleen Schildknecht Smith ('83), her husband Kevin and child Rylee; and her 
friend Tammy Chappelle Tayamen ('82), her husband Steve and their children. She is also survived by 
father and mother-in-law John and Laura Mateo; brothers-in-law Paul Mateo and wife Lorene, Mark 
Mateo and wife Claudia, Christopher Mateo and wife Teresa and their son Peter; sister-in-law Ann 
Mateo. She will also be missed by her great-nieces and –nephews Casey, Alex, Adriann, Keaton, Kailey 
and Cooper. She leaves behind her beloved Corky and Zuent.

Karen had an unstoppable spirit and sense of humor that was undaunted by years of illness. She could
always find something to say to brighten the darkest moment. She left this world too soon and will
be sorely missed.

Please join us in celebrating her life. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 20,
2005, 1:00 PM in the chapel at Einan’s Funeral Home , Sunset Memorial Gardens, Richland. In lieu of
flowers, donations may be sent to HAPO Community Credit Union for benefit of Pete Mateo to defray
medical and funeral expenses.