Aug 29, 1946 Aug 20, 2024 Born to Alice and Glenn Sommerfeldt in San Diego, Karen Lynette soon moved to Michigan where she spent her growing up years, traveling around the state as her father, an agricultural agent, changed locations. Karen's love of the landscape, animals and nature were steady influences during these years and stayed with her for her life. After graduating from Grand Haven High School, Karen attended Kendall College of Art and Design, graduating with a BFA.
Karen was a born artist, painting in a lyrical style. Her bold and elegant workwas full and generous, and those qualities were mirrored in her friendships and love of animals. In addition to her painting career, Karen's training was also as an interior designer; she worked in the furniture industry for many years as an award-winning furniture designer, well-known for her showroom design.
She was a member of both the NC Plein Air Painters and the Watercolor Society of North Carolina. People are also reading..
. Karen had a love of life which shone through these last almost seven years following her diagnosis. She painted and traveled to workshops in special places, especially Door County, WI, with her magic painting group.
Karen and Jimmy enjoyed many trips abroad through the years during which Karen would sketch lively scenes on the fly and in cafes, later shared with others on their return. She hosted magnificent holiday dinners, with tables reflecting her love of art and her elegance. Many a room lit up with Karen's robust laugh as she told stories with delight.
Always a voracious reader, she usually had several books going at a time and shared liberally with her friends. When it came to cats, Karen had a soft spot. She and Yoda spent many peaceable hours together and the two could usually be found in companionable silence.
Karen faced her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer with grace and with faith, seeking every opportunity to live each day with beauty and friendship, living well beyond the expected timeframe. She leaves among those who loved her dearly, her beloved husband, Jimmy; her sister, Debbie Sommerfeldt-Neil; niece, Erin Neil (Abraham); nephew, Andrew (DeAnne); grand nieces and nephews; stepdaughter, Kathi Barnhill (Rob Simon); grandchildren, Paloma and Louis; stepson, David Barnhill (Sherrie); and grandson, Jonathan. She also leaves treasured dear friends who encouraged and supported her throughout her illness including Deidre Dow who assisted Karen in so many ways as she continued her life with the disease.
Karen was a faithful member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church where she rarely missed a Sunday broadcast service and often participated in online Morning Prayer as well as noon day Eucharist when possible. St.
Paul's clergy care and compassion has been sustaining during these years. Karen was always grateful and quick to credit her incredible success in her fight against her cancer to the skill, dedication, support and encouragement to those providing her medical care and services. Doctors Kevin Shah and his surgical team of Duke University Medical Center, Heather Shearer and the chemotherapy and radiation team at Novant Health Cancer Institute and Panneer Manickam at Forsyth Internal Medicine and their nurses and staff; the doctors, nurses and staff at Novant and Duke Hospitals; all those at the Derrick Davis Cancer Institute; doctors, nurses and staff of Trellis Supportive Care and Felix Hairston and the personnel of Hairston Home Care.
The Celebration of Karen's Life will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on September 23 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family urges donations to the Arbor Day Foundation, Red Dog Farm Rescue Network or other Cat Rescue Organizations. Condolences may be shared online at www.salemfh.
com . SALEM FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICE 2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106 Get local news delivered to your inbox!.
