Karen M. Rolcik

Our beautiful, loving mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, auntie and friend went to the loving arms of our Maker on August 31, 2026

Karen came into this world as a lovely surprise, following the birth of her twin sister, Jackie, on June 10, 1937. The twins were born in Everett, WA to Al and Thelma Sholberg and joined their older sister, Shirley.

The growing family soon moved to Angle Lake, in South Seattle. When Karen & Jackie were 10 years old, their much-beloved brother Jon was born. They loved growing up at the lake. The twins enjoyed the tight-knit lake community and many family picnics. Karen & Jackie graduated from Highline High School in 1955. Karen & Jackie went on to attend & graduate from Central Washington State College in Ellensburg, WA. They lived in Kamola Hall and made life-long friends there. They held joyful reunions with their Kamola group for many years.

It was at Central that Karen met Bill Rolcik. She was dazzled by him, and he was very ‘fond’ of her (a long-standing joke between them). They married in June 1959. They raised their daughters, Patti and Janelle in Ellensburg and then Cle Elum, Bill’s hometown. Karen helped Bill in his insurance office, while he was working his main job, a Cle Elum police officer. Karen & Bill loved music and dancing. They were in the Tanda Dance Club in Cle Elum. They also often danced at Cavalini’s Restaurant with dear friends and sometimes Bill would play the accordion with Al, the long-time accordionist on Saturday nights.

Very sadly, Bill passed away from an accident that occurred while on duty, in December 1982. It was a devastating loss for the family and friends. The Cle Elum/Roslyn Police Department has graciously honored Bill through a scholarship for deserving high school graduates. The family would like to thank the department for their continued support and dedication to the community they loved.

Karen went on to work for several years at Key Bank, in both Cle Elum and Roslyn. She was working in Roslyn when the tv show, ‘Northern Exposure’ was filmed. She loved watching the goings-on from her window at the bank!

Karen loved and adored her grandchildren, Ben & Megan. She never missed a holiday and the opportunity to shower them with baskets of goodies and gifts. She loved being a grandma!

Karen later connected with her second love, Jim Seifert. They enjoyed many years traveling and life together. They visited every continent, except Antarctica.

Her step-kids, James, Sally and Robert were adults when she & Jim united, but she loved them dearly. Jim loved spoiling Karen and they were very happy together.

In later years, Jim’s health declined and needed more care, so they moved to Hearthstone (Assisted Living facility in Ellensburg), where Jim passed in 2017. A few years later, Karen, daughter Patti (Woodruff) and family ALL moved to Hood Canal near Belfair, near her brother Jon (Barbara). “The Canal” had been a retreat and later, home for her folks, and a summer place for the whole family to gather for many amazing years.

Her younger daughter, Janelle came to live with us at Hood Canal for several months before she passed away in 2020 from cancer.

Karen is survived by her daughter, Patti (Ron Woodruff), grandchildren Ben & Megan (Sidney), brother Jon (Barbara), cousins and numerous nephews and a niece. She is also survived by dear friends and extended family.

As per her request, there will be no service. She is in her Maker’s loving arms and is reunited with daughter Janelle, her folks, beloved sisters Shirley & Jackie, and of course, her two loves, Bill and Jim.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Cle Elum. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com