Karyl Lee Dennis, 79, of Walla Walla, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2024, in Puyallup, WA, surrounded by her loving family.

Born December 5, 1945, in Chehalis to Karl August and Frances Irene (Ralph) Krah, Karyl spent her childhood exploring lakes near Mount St. Helens and visiting her grandparents' farm in Adna with her younger sister, Judi. She was active in Rainbow Girls, eventually serving as President, and played clarinet in her high school marching band.

Karyl was the first in her family to attend college, graduating from the University of Puget Sound in 1968, with a degree in Elementary Education. During her first week on campus, she met Paul Dennis through mutual friends, and they were married December 27, 1967. At UPS, Karyl was active in the Delta Delta Delta sorority and represented the Air Force ROTC as a member of Angel Flight.

She began her teaching career in Longview at Kessler Elementary (1968-1969) and Mint Valley Elementary (1969-1975). Her first child, Robert, was born in 1973. In 1975, the family moved to Walla Walla, where Karyl taught at Sharpstein Elementary and welcomed her second child, Lindsey, in 1977.

In 1982, she helped open Blue Ridge Elementary, an arts-focused school where she and colleagues developed curriculum for grades K-6. Karyl had a gift for connecting with children and helped launch a successful multi-age K-1 program. Her innate ability to serve special-needs students helped each one thrive in her care. At Blue Ridge, Karyl formed lasting friendships with a close-knit group of colleagues affectionately called "the Sisters." She taught there until retiring in 2006.

Karyl continued working with children by volunteering in classrooms and substitute teaching until 2008, when she embraced full-time Grandma duties to help care for her granddaughter. A lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, Karyl played the carillon as a child, and sang for many years in the Pioneer UMC Choir. In 2018, she and Paul moved to Puyallup to be closer to their granddaughter.

Karyl is survived by her husband, Paul; her children Robert and Lindsey; daughter-in-law Dominique; Lindsey's partner Eric; and granddaughter Sydney. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Judi.