Karla Jean Weatherwax Moore, 58

Karla Jean Weatherwax Moore, age 58, of Hayden, ID died on March 16, 2014, after a three week long battle with cancer.

Karla was born October 24, 1955, in San Fernando, Calif., to Betty and Harold Weatherwax. She was the youngest of five siblings. Karla graduated from Verdugo Hills High School in 1974. During high school she began working at Tujunga Builders (Ace Hardware) and was the Manager/Bookkeeper for 24 years. When the store closed its doors, Karla took the same position at Buena Casa Building supply, where she worked for 13 years.

In 2005, Karla moved to North Idaho for a fresh start. She was the first employee hired at the Coeur d’Alene Grocery Outlet where she became a store manger, and worked there until she passed away. There, she met what turned out to be her second family: owners, Steve and Sarena Mayer, along with their children, Shayla, Sarah and Seth. Karla made so many close friends there, and truly loved being at work. Randy, Brady, Janae, Lil’ Nuggett (Andrew), Cory, Daryl, Lindzey, Donovan, and Kayla were all an important part of her daily life.

Karla was dedicated and loyal to her work, and to her daughter and grandson. She spent every Saturday with her grandson, Asa, whom she adored more than anything in the world. She had a soft spot for “critters,” especially cats; she fed one stray cat, and that exploded into a whole pride, She also collected moose, bears, snails and garden gnomes. Karla loved being outdoors, and spent a lot of free time boating, shooting, fishing, taking road trips and riding motorcycles up the coast of Santa Barbara.

Karla will be remembered as an “Iron Clad Marshmallow” with an amazing sense of humor and dry wit. Always able to take whatever she dished out, her blunt honesty and quick witted humor is what most will remember. She had the biggest, kindest heart, but always showed it in her actions, rather than her words. Karla was a strong woman, who fought very hard the last few weeks of her life.

Karla was preceded in death by her parents, Betty and Harold; siblings: Marty, Kathy and Ann; and stepmother, Patricia Weatherwax. She is survived by daughter and grandson, Sarah Moore and Asa; sister, Karen Taylor, and her daughter Laura Walz, of Iowa; nieces and nephews: Ginny, Josh and Nathan Lukaszewski, and Eric, Chris and Kelly Weatherwax, of California; and many cousins and friends.

Our deepest “thank you” to all the staff at Hospice House of North Idaho. Cindy Reed, Dr. Ancker and Dr. Fogarty, nurses: Kim, Shannon, Marilyn and Kristi, as well as Dagmar, Rachel, Marta and Eva - your kindness and attentive nature has brought comfort to our family. Karla built relationships with all of you, and we are so thankful for everything you have done for her. I also want to thank Sarena Mayer, who helped Karla through her last days and was there for me whenever and for whatever I needed.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 20, at Yates Funeral Home Coeur d’Alene Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice House of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden. Please visit Karla’s memorial and sign her online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com