Karin E. McElevey peacefully passed away on the night of February 25, 2018 in West Seattle, WA surrounded by her family shortly after being diagnosed with Acute Lung Cancer. She leaves us all behind with fond memories of her love and laughter.

The second of three children, Karin was born in Nürnberg, Germany on February 14, 1934 to Ilse and Rudolf Boehland. She graduated from the Wilhelm Loehe Gymnasium (German Academic High School) of Nürnberg and the University of Munich with Majors in English Language and Physical Education in 1958.

Karin married Charles A. McElevey on March 13, 1959 in Munich, Germany. Together they moved to the United States in October of 1959. Their son, Michael was born in 1960 and daughter, Susanne in 1961. In 1962 they returned to Germany where Karin put her husband through 4½ years of brewing school. The young couple returned to the United States in 1967 at which time they settled in West Seattle, WA.

Karin felt at home in Seattle and on August 10, 1992 she officially became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

Karin loved playing tennis; as an adolescent she held the title of Bavaria Youth Tennis Champion three years running and her love of the sport never faded, so as an adult she spent much of her free time playing tennis in Lincoln Park. When she wasn’t playing tennis, Karin was hiking throughout the Pacific Northwest with the Mountaineers, where she was a member for 20 years. She also enjoyed working in her garden, traveling, skiing and swimming.

She is survived by her husband of almost 59 years, Charles A. McElevey; son Michael (Judy), daughter Susanne and grandchildren, Amanda, Monica, Elliott and Carson.