Karen Prosser Detherage, 78

Karen Prosser Detherage (78) of Coeur d'Alene departed from this world to be with both her Heavenly Father and earthly father Feb. 16, 2026, after a valiant fight with cancer. She left peacefully, with family by her side. 

Karen graduated from Coeur d'Alene High School in 1965 and had many friends growing up downtown. 

She would go on to have two daughters, Jennifer and Angie, the joys of her life. A hairstyling career would ensue. Karen was known around town in the mid-'80s for her beauty shop, "Karen's Kurl Up & Dye", a name that showcased her wit and sense of humor. She kept a working clientele, many of whom became close friends, until 2021. She lived and breathed summer, enjoying time at Coeur d'Alene Lake, both at the beach and on the boat, and spent many glorious days on Pend Oreille in Bayview with friends and family. 

Karen was fiercely loving, subtly glamorous, musical, a great dancer, and an animal lover. And while she enjoyed the finer things in life, she also loved pulling on a pair of boots and playing with the horses. She was outgoing and resilient. She loved her birthday, often celebrating the whole month of July. She could also decorate for Christmas with the best of 'em. Her favorite movie was It's A Wonderful Life. She was gorgeous. Karen was the most exciting person to spend time with for anyone who knew her. When she walked into a room, you knew it in the best way. There was never a dull moment in her monumental presence. We miss and love her so much.  

Karen is so missed by her loving mother, Darline, who should never have had to say goodbye to a child. Also struggling with "goodbye" are Karen's adoring grandchildren. They are Emily, Grant, David, Sam, Ben and Daniel. Our only consolation in her passing is that she gets to be with her beloved dad, David Prosser, who passed long before her in 1975, and Kenny, her devoted husband, who passed in 2020.   

Karen leaves behind her daughters, Jennifer McGrath (Post Falls) and Angela Hilding (Hayden), her mother, Darline Prosser (Coeur d'Alene), sister Kathy Prosser (Coeur d'Alene), sister Kay Kay Velasquez (Jimmy) of Gardnerville, Nev., brother David Prosser (Lisa) of Gardnerville, Nev., her previously mentioned grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, stepdaughter Shannon, a step-grandson, six great-grandchildren, three step-great-grandchildren, and many beloved cousins and friends.

While, at her request, there will be no service, please take a quiet moment by the lake this summer to remember Karen. She will be there too. And as she loved to say anytime the road diverged unexpectedly, for better or worse... "It's in the book!"

    Detherage