The Ritzville Adams County Journal - Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887

Karen Mae (Arlt) Thiel was born Nov. 2nd, 1938 in Ritzville, Wash. to Harry and Verna (Amen) Arlt. She passed away peacefully Sept. 29, 2021 in her bed at the Faith Larkin Adult Care Facility in Moses Lake, due to complications related to Lewy Body dementia.

She was raised on the Arlt family farm 6 miles northwest of Ritzville. She attended Ritzville schools and graduated in 1957. She attended Washington State College for one year and then moved back closer to home to attend Kinman Business University. Upon graduation, she was hired by accountant Lee Burroughs in Ritzville.

In June 1960, sh...