Karla Jean Bayne-Rodocker

Karla Jean Bayne-Rodocker, a longtime resident of Bainbridge Island, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at Swedish Hospital in Seattle at the age of 60. Her death followed a 15-month battle with cancer which she had waged ferociously. She was surrounded by her devoted husband, Don Rodocker, her mother, Sharon Bayne, and her family.

Karla was born in Seattle on April 28, 1958, to Sharon and Harley Bayne and is survived by her husband, Don, her mother Sharon, brothers Kurt and Patrick, sisters Jill Bayne and Danielle Wheeler, nieces Raquel Bayne, Erin Bayne, Robyn Wheeler, Corey Wheeler, and her mother-in-law Ruby Rodocker, her step-son, Jesse Rodocker and his wife, Tracey Rodocker, step-daughters, Shelley Robertson and Sheri Stookey, as well as eight step-grandchildren.

Karla moved to Hawaii with her family at the age of two, where they lived on all four islands. She and her siblings spent their days in Hawaii barefoot, enjoying the sun and the beaches. Karla had a real love of the water and was an avid swimmer.

At the age of 14, Karla returned to Seattle where she attended Ballard High School. She was a member of the swim team while also teaching the sport to competitive swimmers as well as toddlers.

Karla and Donald Rodocker were married on February 27, 1995, in a beautiful setting atop a Caribbean island, which launched their 24 wonderful years together.

Karla also had a keen business sense. She co-owned a wallpaper business with her mother, became a caregiver, and operated a cottage for Dementia and Alzheimer patients. Later, Karla, Don and his son, Jesse, co-founded an underwater robotics company where she oversaw the operation of several departments.

To Karla, life was perceived as one huge art project with everything she did reflecting her artistic nature. She was an accomplished painter, portrait artist, stained glass and ceramics creator, and even learned welding in order to create artistic gates. She was known as an exceptional gourmet cook, an excellent interior decorator, an innovative makeup artist, and an accomplished gardener. The grounds of their home became just another canvas on which she created a varied and colorful landscape of trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetable and herb gardens. She truly loved to be working in her garden where she had a connection to each and every plant. She saw the beauty in her garden and marveled at the miracle of life in each plant.

Karla's effusive persona and radiant smile instantly captivated every person she knew or came across throughout her life, and she sought to share her sunshine and joy with each of them.

Services will be held at St. Cecilia Parish, 1310 Madison Ave N., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 8th with a reception after the service. A Celebration of Life at their home on 5905 Rose Loop NE, Bainbridge Island will follow.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home.