Meichen Elise Plumhoff
December 18, 1990 – July 20, 2025
Meichen Elise Plumhoff passed away unexpectedly on July 20, 2025 at the age of 34, leaving a huge hole in our hearts.
Born December 18, 1990 to Terri Leigh Karkau and Uwe Plumhoff in Vancouver, Washington, Meichen brought laughter and sunshine to her family with her joy of life, intensity in everything she delved into and a deep love of animals and nature at a young age. She felt the vibrations of the world around her, was fiercely independent and wildly adventurous. As a graduate of La Center High School in 2008, Meichen continued to study at Western Washington University and graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Sciences. Her first job was working for NOAA as an Observer on all types of commercial fishing vessels in Alaska. Meichen fought passionately when peace was interrupted politically and environmentally.
Meichen’s independent, adventurous character took her on many solo journeys first of which was riding her bicycle from Bellingham, Washington to Smithers, British Columbia and again from Grants Pass, Oregon to Montana to volunteer on organic farms through the WWOOF organization. Following this, she ventured to Sweden and hiked the Kungsleden Trail, a 270-mile hiking trail in the Swedish Mountains. She then followed her heart back to Alaska, where she worked restoring hiking trails and as a commercial fisherwoman. She landed in Sitka, where she became a vibrant member of this tight community. She worked for Sitka Trail Works as a Trail Crew Lead, on many local fishing boats and at the historic Pioneer (P Bar) Bar. It is here she met her partner, Cameron.
The void that is left in our lives is massive, unimaginable, and forever. Loved by her mother, Terri L. Karkau, her father, Uwe Plumhoff (Patty Reuter), beloved sisters Heidi Plumhoff and Britta Plumhoff, adored nieces and nephews Anayah, Aviel and Ember Barasa. There was so much more to do with you.
A private ceremony was held for immediate family at Recompose Funeral Home in Seattle, Washington. In Sitka, Alaska a wonderful Celebration of Life was held Thursday, August 14th at the Halibut Point State Park Rec Shelter.
Washington’s Celebration of Life for Meichen Plumhoff will be held on Saturday, August 23rd at Sternwheeler Park Gazebo, La Center, Washington, at 6 pm. Bring your memories and stories to share.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sitka Trail Works, Sitka, Alaska, or Columbia Kids Co-op Preschool in Battle Ground, Washington.