To all of Karen's friends

I cannot adequately put to words the gratitude that I feel for all the kindness that Karen's passing has generated among the people that touched our lives. You, that have commented, and contacted me personally to express their sorrow at her passing, has been overwhelming to say the least.

Having been on the other end of an event such as this, where you feel like a bumbling idiot worrying what you can do to ease the loss of one so loved. I can tell you from recent experience that there are no wrong words. Merely the act of expressing your sorrow is all that is needed. Flowery words cannot say more than "I am sorry!" The fact that she meant so much to the people that she touched makes my wounded heart swell with pride. Of course a lot of people were concerned as to how I would handle her loss. I would like to set your mind at ease, and give you my perspective.

I not only loved this woman, I liked her as a person as well. Until she became so enfeebled that she had trouble doing anything much more than walking the length of the house, we did every thing together. She was my best friend! I preferred her company to all others, but she was kind and accepting enough that she allowed others in our lives as well. Now lest I confuse you she was not always an angel in real life, she was human after all. Just most of the time. Now she can be one all the time.

I think lots of our friends knowing how much we were together were a bit concerned that my loss and sadness would over whelm me. I will admit that I slept little the first night, and I didn't eat for two days. We both felt that this operation could be terminal, and I suppose that in some ways it sort of prepared me for the outcome that has become reality. She didn't want to be house bound and decided to try it. Well my worst fears have become reality.

I feel very sad, and being here without her will take a serious amount of getting used to, but I will. I am not done yet! I do not feel cheated, although I do feel that it could have been prevented and did not have to happen. When I think of our lives together, I only feel gratitude that I had her for as long as I did.

Thank all of you, that have expressed sympathy at the loss that you felt at her passing. Each and every one of you contributed to her happiness, and my undying gratitude. The contact with you enriched her life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Karen R Cottrell March 6, 1944 - Jan 31, 2018

Karen's heart stopped this morning at 8:30 AM. 

Its been a good run and a good life for the both of us. Our 53rd anniversary was the 9th of January.

At the time we met, I was looking for a girl "Like my Mom". That's not to say that I wanted someone to take care of me, I wanted one that could be a friend, confidant, and a partner in life. Karen fit that description to a tee. She was a willing participant in anything that I could think up. She wasn't squeamish, liked hunting, and most important was that for some reason, she liked me.

When I asked her to marry me, she told me that she had heart problems from birth and most likely was at risk because of it. I gave it some thought and decided that however long it would last, it would be worth it. We have lived here in the desert, in a house that she picked out, in an area that we both loved, and it has been absolutely great. The last words that we spoke were " I love you"!

Karen had her Mytral valve replaced 20 years ago in Klamath Falls. It was replaced with a mechanical valve rather than a Pig valve because the pig valve would not last as long as they felt she would then be able to live. Her heart valves were deformed from birth. They did not replace the Aortic valve because they apparently did not have the tech at that time. All of the problems that were caused by the faulty valve gave her congestive heart failure. It finally got bad enough that she decided to get the other valve replaced. They did so on the 16th of January. She insisted on doing it after our anniversary. 

She will be cremated soon and eventually I will scatter her ashes her on the place that she loved. There will be no formal service.

For those that knew and loved her, I thank you for being in her life. It was much richer because of you.