Karla Jean Needs, 56
Karla Jean Needs, 56, of Soldotna, Alaska, died of a heart attack on Dec. 21, 2007.
She survived her first heart attack at 45, but due to the radiation she underwent during her battle with Hodgkin's disease at 20, her arteries were inoperable. She fought hard to stay with us, and never lived as a victim. Nonetheless, the damage to her heart slowly worsened. She suffered another heart attack on Dec. 19, 2007, and passed away two days later as she had lived her life — surrounded by family.
She was raised in Priest River, Idaho, where she and her husband lived and raised their family until moving to Alaska in 1983.
In her life she plowed fields, raised cattle, helped build log homes, made many friends working at Idaho First Bank and Frontier Alaska State Credit Union, sharpened saw blades, ran family businesses, and so much more.
An accomplished seamstress and amazing homemaker, she tirelessly served her family. She was always a perfect lady.
She was a supportive wife, a loving mother and grandmother, our confidant and strength, and we will miss her terribly.
Karla was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Sylvia Sutliff of Priest River; her brother, Jerry Sutliff; and her sister, Bernita Lenius. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Larry Needs of Soldotna; her children and their families, Richard and Rhonda Needs of Soldotna, and their children Megan and Adam; David and Laurie Stevens of Sandpoint, and their children Cameron, Bailey, Alexandria, and Robert; Crystal and Steven Sholin of Soldotna, and their children Ryan and Kaili; and Lori and Michael Tovoli of Soldotna, and their children Zayan, T'essa, Zachary, Jared, and Hanna. She is also survived by two sisters and their husbands, Janis and Gene Swanson of Priest River, and Roberta and Theodore Duncan of Spokane, Wash. Some members of her surviving family are "blood" and some are "step," but this distinction never meant anything to Karla so it is not worth sorting out here.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be sent to the American Cancer Society in her name.