Karen Epperly

On Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, Karen Kay (Blankenship) Epperly passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Immanuel Lutheran Skilled Nursing Facility. Grammy Kay died the way she lived, with great courage and toughness. She was 78 years old.

Kay was born in Bozeman on Aug. 13, 1940, to Vern and Laura Belle Blankenship. Her childhood was spent in the Gallatin Valley, graduating from Bozeman High School in 1958. Later that summer she married the love of her life, William Ross Epperly, on Aug. 31. They were married almost 60 years before Bill’s passing in June of last year.

Grammy Kay overcame much in her later years. She had a 26-year battle with rheumatoid arthritis in which there was not a single period of remission. Yet her spirit was indomitable. She did as much as she could do and never complained. As other medical issues piled up, Grammy lost much of her functional status. This was limiting in some of her great loves. She could no longer hike in Glacier Park, nor could she go for long runs or do as much around her home. But through this physical decline she never lost her spirit for life and her passion for living.

It goes without say that Grammy Kay was beloved by her family. Her creative cooking was something everyone anticipated because she very seldom used a recipe and it would turn out delicious. As a result, we always looked forward to something new and different but fabulous. Grammy Kay also was an incredible baker, often including the grandkids in the process, allowing them to fully engage in every step.

Finally, Kay was fiercely loyal to those close to her. She loved her husband Bill and was his biggest fan. Her grandkids felt like they all had a special relationship with her. She loved each of them in her own way.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her brother Richard, and her parents Vern and Laura Belle.

Kay is survived by her four children, Joanie Bowen and her husband Bruce of Polson, Jeff Epperly and his wife Kyra of Kalispell, Jim Epperly and his wife Heather of Bigfork, and Julie Epperly and her husband Jeff Dohn of Missoula. Kay is also survived by her 10 grandchildren, Keegan Bowen, Hattie Bowen, Emma Epperly, Ezra Epperly, Evan Epperly, Anders Epperly, Isak Epperly, Jake Arledge, Ellie Arledge and Aden Dohn.

A celebration of life will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30, Buffalo Hill Golf Club.

The Epperly family would like to thank Hospice and their amazing team of caregivers as well as the love and support of many friends and families who came alongside us in our time of need. Memorials are suggested to be made to Sperry Chalet Re-Construction Project at www.glacier.org/sperry-chalet/action-fund/.