Karin Nell Wallace, 68 of Kennewick, WA, passed away on March 4, 2025, after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. She passed peacefully, leaving a hole in the hearts of her family and friends, and all that knew her. Karin was a beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter, yaya and friend, who will be missed dearly.

Karin was born in Anchorage, territory of Alaska on June 9, 1956, to JoAnn and Richard Dailey. She was the oldest of four siblings. In 1957, Karin and her family moved from Alaska to State College, Pennsylvania, before moving to Pullman, Washington in 1968. Karin graduated from Pullman High School in 1974 and then moved to Tri-Cities, Washington. After moving to the Tri-Cities, Karin met Stephen Wallace, and they married in 1976. Karin attended Eastern Washington University where she received her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She went on to earn her master's degree in Education from Grand Canyon University in 2003. Karin began her teaching career in 1989 and went on to teach for the Kennewick School District for 31 years before retiring in 2021.

Karin was a devoted mother to three daughters who are her pride and joy. She always said their births changed her life for the better. They felt that in the love and support she provided for them up until she passed. Karin's pride only grew when each of her grandchildren were born. Thursdays were dedicated "Yaya nights" that she would spend with her grandchildren, and after retiring she spent most weekdays watching her youngest granddaughter. Karin was a safe space to all, especially her children's friends. Her friends were family and there wasn't anything Karin wouldn't have done for them.

Karin took special joy in teaching. She loved when she could see her students' gears turning, and never forgot any of her students, even those from her first year's teaching! In 2012, Karin went on to further her education even more to become the reading specialist at Southgate Elementary, until she retired in 2021. Some of Karin's fondest memories were reading with children. She loved to teach them how to read and write. At home every night, Karin looked forward to reading to her kids and grandchildren before bed.

Karin is preceded in death by her mother JoAnn Rice, her grandfather Richard O. Dailey, and her grandmother Madolyn Dailey, whom she shared a special bond with, sister-in-law Jacqueline Bender, and cousin Tom Dailey. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Stephen Wallace, her daughters Monica Wallace, Stephanee (Mike) Hardesty, and Joscelyn (Marthell) Wallace, her grandchildren, Alexis, Greyson, Emily, Macy and Olive, her father Richard (Alice) Dailey, her brothers Frank Dailey, Eric (Francois) Ditwiler, her sisters, Martha (Mike) Bayle, Jennifer (Tom) Tudor-Roberts, Julie (Shawn) Lutz, Marleigh Flanagan, Patricia (Doug) Olson and numerous nieces and nephews, who will never forget the love she brought into their lives.

A short ceremony will be held March 22, 2025, at 11:00AM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 1609 W. 10th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99336 followed by a Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Fred Hutch Pancreatic Research or the Mid-Columbia Libraries.