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Kari Dee Thompson
May 23, 1948 - July 30, 2026
Kari Thompson Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Barton Family Funeral Service of Edmonds on Aug. 11, 2026.
Kari Dee Esterberg Thompson passed away quietly on July 30, 2026. She was 78. Kari lived a full and interesting life, marked by a long career in public service, a love of travel, and a genuine appreciation for the beauty around her.
Born in Seattle, Kari's family moved to Edmonds where she graduated from Meadowdale High School in 1966. Following her brother, Kari attended Washington State University for two years before transferring to the University of Washington, graduating in 1970. Kari began working for the federal government in 1976. For the majority of her 35-year career she was an investigator for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
On 27 June 1970, Kari married Walter R Thompson. They moved to Edmonds in 1974, and bought their first home the following year. In 1980, they built a new home on that same property where they would live, hosting friends and family, for the rest of Kari's life.
Kari loved to travel, particularly to exotic and distant places. Starting early in their marriage and for the next 40 years, she and Walter traveled extensively throughout Southeast Asia, Europe, and Central America. Kari's later trips were to Africa and by far her favorite.
Kari had an eye for beauty and a keen sense of style. No matter the occasion, she was beautifully put together. Whether knitting, needlepointing or collaging, Kari's creative spirit was always at play. She was also an avid walker and a voracious reader. In true Kari fashion, she somehow combined the two. Around Edmonds, she became known as the woman who could walk and read at the same time - and she did so at a surprisingly brisk pace.
Kari was curious about the world, loved discovering new places and found joy in everyday life. She will be deeply missed by Walter, her sister Wyn, brother Kim, her nephews and nieces, her many friends and all those whose lives she touched.
Barton Family Funeral Service, LLC has been entrusted with the arrangements. https://obits.dallasnews.com/us/obituaries/name/kari-thompson-obituary?id=62161746
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Dennis O'Neil
I first met Kari in the 4th grade when I was a new kid at Lyndale Elementary. She was a good friend to a shy new kid. Later she worried that sitting next to me in biology would get her in trouble. She was always smart and a good person to be around. BTW we exited the building from that biology class during the earthquake that year, Mrs. Sears yelling, "Stay calm!"Kevin Cloud Brechner
This is another sad one for me. i was hoping Kari would attend the 60th Reunion. I had many classes with her dating back to Meadowdale Junior High and probably back to Maple Park Elementary. As I recall she was on the Speech Team competing in regional competitions. I have a very warm spot in my heart for her. I remember very well a very fun afternoon-evening swim party that was held on a dock at Linda Tutmark's house on Martha Lake with a group of MHS students. We spent a lot of time talking and smimming. Kari was an all around, gentle, really nice person. She was very intelligent, out-going, and lovely person. I last talked to her at the MHS Class of 66 50th Reunion. She was vivacious and full of energy and life. What a loss! i was hoping to catch up with her life. It appears from her obituary that she had a full and enriched life. We can't ask for much more then that. R.I.P Kari.
Sherry Groves (Haigh)
This makes me very sad, too. I remember Kari fondly from high school. Although I didn't know her well, I knew her well enough to see what a lovely person she was, warm and friendly and smiling. Definitely smart, too! Doesn't seem possible that such a vibrant person could be gone!
Susan Harter (Rice)
LIke Dennis, I too moved to the Edmonds School District just before 4th grade. The bus stops were along Snake Road (Olympic View Drive) picking up John and Carrol Hastings and Bob Ramstead -- then Chuck Steinberger, Kathy Bone, Robin Pittis and me (at the bottom of 88th) and then Kari Esterberg, Judy Thorne and Marcia Merklinghause at Andover Road. Lynndale was a new school and the sorting into classes was simple.... all the 4th graders on the bus got put in the same class! So my neighbors became my classmates and my friends! What a blessing! Our generation was a challenge to classroom size! We were at Lynndale for 2 years, Beverly Park for 6th grade, Edmonds Jr High for 7th grade, Meadowdale Jr High for 8th and 9th and then finally, MHS as the new Sophomore class. Through all the changes, those neighborhood friends were fundamental to my growing up. I remember Kari as a quietly confident person from a family that really valued education. Kari was also very compassionate, so her career choice makes perfect sense! When Greg and I returned to the Seattle area after medical school in St. Louis, I was pregnant and it was at Kari's family home that a lovely baby shower was held with those forever friends. I think the last time I saw her was at Winnie Hastings' memorial service. I keep Robin, John and Carrol very close -- visits, texts, emails -- but to connect with the other neighborhood kids always is a joy with easy "remember when's" that shed years and bring smiles. As we age and face new health challenges, opportunities to connect become even more special. Looking forward to the reunion!!
Ridelle (Ann) Lager (Roper)
Kari was my roommate at University of Washington. We haven't stayed in touch. I'm so surprised and sorry to hear that she has died.