Karen Elizabeth Raile

Karen Elizabeth (Hickey) Raile was a beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin and friend. She left this world too soon on February 11, 2024 at age 55 surrounded by her three children.

 Born July 7, 1968, in Los Angeles, CA, where she was soon adopted by Sheila and Dennis Hickey at 6 months old. Karen gained the title of sister when Susan was adopted 6 months later.  The family remained in Los Angeles and later moved to Santa Barbara, CA, until they made the big move to Denver, CO in 1983. Karen graduated from Saint Mary’s Academy in 1986, she began her studies at Colorado State University the following year and later pursued a career in stenography. Karen married Jim Noland in 1996 and settled in Northwest Denver where she raised her three beautiful children, Samuel James (24), Dennis Patrick (21) and Rachel Marie (18). Karen remarried in 2015 to Greg Raile, her college sweetheart, and were together until his tragic death in 2020.  

Karen had a very happy childhood; taking family road trips to Yosemite National Park, CA beaches and Iowa, visiting extended family. She exchanged those beach trips for the slopes as a teenager, after the move to Colorado. In her early childhood Karen enjoyed swimming, box car racing, kite flying and camping at the YMCA. In the YMCA’s Indian Princess, a Father Daughter program, Karen took on the name Floating Cloud and her father as Lone Wolf, creating so many wonderful memories. Karen showed tenacity early on, getting her lifeguard certification at the University of California, Santa Barbara at the young age of 12.

 It was the simple pleasures in life that brought Karen great joy, the greatest joy being the time she spent with those she loved. Whether it was holidays with her children and extended family, bowling with friends, cooking with her late husband, Karen was there, bringing warmth and laughter. Karen’s children were her whole world and she considered them to be her greatest accomplishment. Karen’s ability to make others feel loved and accepted for who they were was exceptional. She serves as a role model, to be kind to all and to live a life without the fear of judgment from others. 

Karen is survived by her sons, Sam and Dennis, and her daughter, Rachel. Karen leaves behind her sister, Sue (Hickey) Dennis and four nieces, Lauren, Gillian, Audrey, and Delaney.