Karen Mabel Washburn

Karen Mabel (Fillmore) Washburn, (79) dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, died peacefully in her sleep during the early morning hours of January 5, 2026.

Born February 2, 1946, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Karen was raised by good parents (Gwen Berrett Fillmore and Kenneth Ray Fillmore) on a small family farm on East River Road with a white picket fence and eight amazing siblings. Nothing, it appears, prepares a person for life quite as well as a large family living on a small family farm.

Karen developed an extraordinary gift for nurturing and maintaining deep, lasting relationships with many types of people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. The ability to connect with people helped Karen achieve a highly successful career in sales, a career that enabled her to live comfortably, travel the world, and help others.

Karen’s family and friends regularly sought her wisdom, advice, and counsel, not because she knew the mysteries of the universe, but rather because she had a way of dispensing sound advice while helping others feel understood, loved, and appreciated, especially during times of trouble.

Above all, Karen was kind, loving, and strong. Contrary to secular wisdom, Karen’s kindness was not a weakness, just ask any of her ex-husbands. Karen used to say that she knew exactly what she wanted in a husband, and she wasn’t going to stop until she found it.

Karen eventually married Stan Washburn, the love of her life, on May 26, 1989. They were later sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple.

Karen was proud of her heritage, protective of her family, and she loved to weave fascinating stories of hardship, immigration, faith, resilience, perseverance, and love into everyday conversations.

Karen died just a few short miles from where her grandparents settled along the South Fork of the Snake River, in the shadow of the Buttes, back when Menan, Idaho, was not much more than a mosquito infested marsh.

Thanks to Stan, Karen passed away in the house of her dreams, next to her best friend, with an understanding of what it is like to be someone else’s everything, just days after celebrating the birth of the Savior. All things considered, not a bad end to an otherwise exceptional life.

Karen was preceded in death by Kenneth and Gwen Fillmore (parents), Kenneth Fillmore (brother), and Vicki Fillmore (sister).

Karen is survived by her siblings: Dee Maynard, Bill Fillmore (Marilyn), Karl Fillmore (Shane), Kathy Fillmore Johnson (Randy), Rachel Fillmore Warnberg (Darrel), and Renee Fillmore Davis (Ruell); children: Jerry Howe (Kristin), Lisa Howe Cunningham, Debi Howe Palmer, Ashli Washburn Johnson (Jeremiah), Cassidy Washburn Green (Jason); 17 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren—all of whom seem to have inherited Karen’s propensity toward kindness.

A Visitation will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, from 6-7:30 pm at the Menan Chapel, 698 N 3600 E, Menan, Idaho. The funeral service will be on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 11:00 am at the Menan Chapel, 698 N 3600 E, Menan, with a visitation from 9:30-10:45. Interment at the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery, 4023 Ririe Hwy, Rigby, Idaho.

Flowers can be sent to Eckersell Funeral Home in Rigby, Idaho.