Karlee Rae Van Leuven

Karlee Rae Van Leuven, 16, of Shelley, passed away January 5, 2010 at her home in Shelley.

On Tuesday Evening Karlee’s battle with cancer ended when she passed away in her home in Shelley. She left peacefully with her family beside her.

Karlee was born in Boise, Idaho on February 5, 1993 and lived in Emmett until her family moved to Shelley, Idaho in September of 2008.  She loved life and spread her interests around throughout her childhood.  She loved to play the piano and sang beautifully.  She was involved with Honor Choir and the Emmett Community Playhouse and liked Broadway musicals, her favorite being “Wicked” which she was able to attend on a couple of occasions in Chicago.  For several years she was part of the Gem County 4-H and showed sheep and chickens and was in 4-H cooking, sewing and cake decorating.  She was interested in photography and loved to take pictures of her family, friends, animals and the beautiful things she saw in the world around her.  She also enjoyed playing sports such as basketball, tennis and softball, her recent being on the Emmett summer U-Ball softball team.

Karlee loved the city and spent much time with her grandmother in Chicago.  She also liked to attend Mariners baseball games with her grandfather and family in Seattle.  One of her dreams was to go to New York City and see a Broadway performance.  The Make-A-Wish program was set to make this come true for her, but sadly she was taken from life prematurely and did not get to make the trip.

Karlee is survived in life by her father Jeff, mother Jackie, sister Corbin and brothers Vee and Evan of Shelley.  Grandparents Randy and Judy Van Leuven of Bremerton, WA.  Dennis and Cappy Johnston of Lake Forest, Il.  Don and Carla White of Montour, Id. Jack Bradshaw of Weiser, Id. The cancer which plagued her body for the last year and a half took her life but could not take her spirit.  We will miss her and forever be proud of the dignity and strength she showed throughout her life and most especially during the course of the disease which took her from this life.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Saturday January 9, 2010 at the Shelley Stake Center (325 East Locust) with Bishop Scott Searle conducting. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7:00 till 8:30 P.M. at Nalder Funeral Home (110 West Oak) in Shelley and Saturday morning 9:30 till 10:40 A.M. at the church. Funeral services in Emmett, Idaho will be 1:00 P.M. Monday January 11, 2010 at the Emmett Stake Center. The family will receive friends Sunday evening 5:00 till 7:00 P.M. at Potter funeral Home (228 E. Main) in Emmett. And 11:30 till 12:40 at the church. Interment will be in the Sweet Cemetery.