Coeur d'Alene Press, January 8, 2022 1:00 AM
Karen Stevens Coppess, daughter of Charles H. and Alice K. Stevens, passed away peacefully at the age of 78 on Dec. 28, 2021, while surrounded by her loving family.
Born on March 3, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pa., she lived most of her young life in Euclid, Ohio, where her love of flowers, plants, trees and the sciences surrounding them developed into a lifelong passion for gardening. She met her future husband Lee while earning a degree in microbiology from Ohio State University where she did as little as possible in economics courses so that she could spend the rest of her time studying anthropology, chemistry and microbiology. Soon after graduating Karen worked for Ohio's Department of Health testing infant blood samples while her husband Lee completed his final year of dental school. After a few years of Lee serving in the Air Force in Minot, N.D., they moved to North Idaho in 1967 where she lived her life surrounded by amazing friends while raising her three children Ann, Linda and Mark.
With limited opportunities in North Idaho to work as a microbiologist and encouragement from friends Karen started out on a new path earning a master's degree in education studying at Eastern Washington University, University of Idaho and the University of California at Los Angeles while raising her children. For over 30 years Karen worked in Idaho and later Washington, where she poured her heart and soul into teaching young children and later inspiring her teachers as a principal. She is remembered fondly by her students and with gratitude by the teachers she mentored along the way.
As a devoted mother, friend and mentor to many, Karen cherished the people in her life. As a courageous, single parent and avid adventurer, Karen filled her vacation time loading up her station wagon and taking her children on escapades across the United States and beyond to show them the amazing people, history and art that surrounds us all. Despite her busy schedule raising children and teaching, she still found time to live life fully with a great set of friends whom she adored while perfecting and sharing her master gardening skills whenever she saw the opportunity.
Karen retired from teaching in Washington in 2008 and returned to Coeur d'Alene where she spent the next 13 years being adored by family and friends while continuing to travel with loved ones and garden wherever she could. With the aches and pains of aging Karen shifted her focus from travel and gardening to studying genealogy trees for her dear friends, doing matriarchal errands for her busy family while praising the Lord and giving thanks for the many blessings in her life. Karen knew the Lord was with her always, but in her later years she came to understand how deeply His Love and Grace surrounded and guided her.
Karen is survived by her children Ann, Linda and Mark, along with her grandchildren Jane, Sarah, Cole and Mackenzie. She spent the last moments of her life with all of them at her side loving on and thanking her for the amazing mother, woman and friend that she has been to us all.
A celebration of life service will be held at Yates Funeral Home in Hayden, Idaho, 373 E. Hayden Ave., on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at 2 p.m., with reception following.
Memorial donations may be made honor of Karen to The Excel Foundation, Union Gospel Mission or Cancer & Community Charities.
Arrangements are provided by Yates Funeral Home
Karen Stevens Coppess, daughter of Charles H. and Alice K. Stevens, passed away peacefully at the age of 78 on Dec. 28, 2021, while surrounded by her loving family.
Born on March 3, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pa., she lived most of her young life in Euclid, Ohio, where her love of flowers, plants, trees and the sciences surrounding them developed into a lifelong passion for gardening. She met her future husband Lee while earning a degree in microbiology from Ohio State University where she did as little as possible in economics courses so that she could spend the rest of her time studying anthropology, chemistry and microbiology. Soon after graduating Karen worked for Ohio's Department of Health testing infant blood samples while her husband Lee completed his final year of dental school. After a few years of Lee serving in the Air Force in Minot, N.D., they moved to North Idaho in 1967 where she lived her life surrounded by amazing friends while raising her three children Ann, Linda and Mark.
With limited opportunities in North Idaho to work as a microbiologist and encouragement from friends Karen started out on a new path earning a master's degree in education studying at Eastern Washington University, University of Idaho and the University of California at Los Angeles while raising her children. For over 30 years Karen worked in Idaho and later Washington, where she poured her heart and soul into teaching young children and later inspiring her teachers as a principal. She is remembered fondly by her students and with gratitude by the teachers she mentored along the way.
As a devoted mother, friend and mentor to many, Karen cherished the people in her life. As a courageous, single parent and avid adventurer, Karen filled her vacation time loading up her station wagon and taking her children on escapades across the United States and beyond to show them the amazing people, history and art that surrounds us all. Despite her busy schedule raising children and teaching, she still found time to live life fully with a great set of friends whom she adored while perfecting and sharing her master gardening skills whenever she saw the opportunity.
Karen retired from teaching in Washington in 2008 and returned to Coeur d'Alene where she spent the next 13 years being adored by family and friends while continuing to travel with loved ones and garden wherever she could. With the aches and pains of aging Karen shifted her focus from travel and gardening to studying genealogy trees for her dear friends, doing matriarchal errands for her busy family while praising the Lord and giving thanks for the many blessings in her life. Karen knew the Lord was with her always, but in her later years she came to understand how deeply His Love and Grace surrounded and guided her.
Karen is survived by her children Ann, Linda and Mark, along with her grandchildren Jane, Sarah, Cole and Mackenzie. She spent the last moments of her life with all of them at her side loving on and thanking her for the amazing mother, woman and friend that she has been to us all.
A celebration of life service will be held at Yates Funeral Home in Hayden, Idaho, 373 E. Hayden Ave., on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at 2 p.m., with reception following.
Memorial donations may be made honor of Karen to The Excel Foundation, Union Gospel Mission or Cancer & Community Charities.
Arrangements are provided by Yates Funeral Home
Coeur d'Alene Press, January 8, 2022 1:00 AM
Karen Stevens Coppess, daughter of Charles H. and Alice K. Stevens, passed away peacefully at the age of 78 on Dec. 28, 2021, while surrounded by her loving family.
Born on March 3, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pa., she lived most of her young life in Euclid, Ohio, where her love of flowers, plants, trees and the sciences surrounding them developed into a lifelong passion for gardening. She met her future husband Lee while earning a degree in microbiology from Ohio State University where she did as little as possible in economics courses so that she could spend the rest of her time studying anthropology, chemistry and microbiology. Soon after graduating Karen worked for Ohio's Department of Health testing infant blood samples while her husband Lee completed his final year of dental school. After a few years of Lee serving in the Air Force in Minot, N.D., they moved to North Idaho in 1967 where she lived her life surrounded by amazing friends while raising her three children Ann, Linda and Mark.
With limited opportunities in North Idaho to work as a microbiologist and encouragement from friends Karen started out on a new path earning a master's degree in education studying at Eastern Washington University, University of Idaho and the University of California at Los Angeles while raising her children. For over 30 years Karen worked in Idaho and later Washington, where she poured her heart and soul into teaching young children and later inspiring her teachers as a principal. She is remembered fondly by her students and with gratitude by the teachers she mentored along the way.
As a devoted mother, friend and mentor to many, Karen cherished the people in her life. As a courageous, single parent and avid adventurer, Karen filled her vacation time loading up her station wagon and taking her children on escapades across the United States and beyond to show them the amazing people, history and art that surrounds us all. Despite her busy schedule raising children and teaching, she still found time to live life fully with a great set of friends whom she adored while perfecting and sharing her master gardening skills whenever she saw the opportunity.
Karen retired from teaching in Washington in 2008 and returned to Coeur d'Alene where she spent the next 13 years being adored by family and friends while continuing to travel with loved ones and garden wherever she could. With the aches and pains of aging Karen shifted her focus from travel and gardening to studying genealogy trees for her dear friends, doing matriarchal errands for her busy family while praising the Lord and giving thanks for the many blessings in her life. Karen knew the Lord was with her always, but in her later years she came to understand how deeply His Love and Grace surrounded and guided her.
Karen is survived by her children Ann, Linda and Mark, along with her grandchildren Jane, Sarah, Cole and Mackenzie. She spent the last moments of her life with all of them at her side loving on and thanking her for the amazing mother, woman and friend that she has been to us all.
A celebration of life service will be held at Yates Funeral Home in Hayden, Idaho, 373 E. Hayden Ave., on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at 2 p.m., with reception following.
Memorial donations may be made honor of Karen to The Excel Foundation, Union Gospel Mission or Cancer & Community Charities.
Arrangements are provided by Yates Funeral Home
Karen Stevens Coppess, daughter of Charles H. and Alice K. Stevens, passed away peacefully at the age of 78 on Dec. 28, 2021, while surrounded by her loving family.
Born on March 3, 1943, in Pittsburgh, Pa., she lived most of her young life in Euclid, Ohio, where her love of flowers, plants, trees and the sciences surrounding them developed into a lifelong passion for gardening. She met her future husband Lee while earning a degree in microbiology from Ohio State University where she did as little as possible in economics courses so that she could spend the rest of her time studying anthropology, chemistry and microbiology. Soon after graduating Karen worked for Ohio's Department of Health testing infant blood samples while her husband Lee completed his final year of dental school. After a few years of Lee serving in the Air Force in Minot, N.D., they moved to North Idaho in 1967 where she lived her life surrounded by amazing friends while raising her three children Ann, Linda and Mark.
With limited opportunities in North Idaho to work as a microbiologist and encouragement from friends Karen started out on a new path earning a master's degree in education studying at Eastern Washington University, University of Idaho and the University of California at Los Angeles while raising her children. For over 30 years Karen worked in Idaho and later Washington, where she poured her heart and soul into teaching young children and later inspiring her teachers as a principal. She is remembered fondly by her students and with gratitude by the teachers she mentored along the way.
As a devoted mother, friend and mentor to many, Karen cherished the people in her life. As a courageous, single parent and avid adventurer, Karen filled her vacation time loading up her station wagon and taking her children on escapades across the United States and beyond to show them the amazing people, history and art that surrounds us all. Despite her busy schedule raising children and teaching, she still found time to live life fully with a great set of friends whom she adored while perfecting and sharing her master gardening skills whenever she saw the opportunity.
Karen retired from teaching in Washington in 2008 and returned to Coeur d'Alene where she spent the next 13 years being adored by family and friends while continuing to travel with loved ones and garden wherever she could. With the aches and pains of aging Karen shifted her focus from travel and gardening to studying genealogy trees for her dear friends, doing matriarchal errands for her busy family while praising the Lord and giving thanks for the many blessings in her life. Karen knew the Lord was with her always, but in her later years she came to understand how deeply His Love and Grace surrounded and guided her.
Karen is survived by her children Ann, Linda and Mark, along with her grandchildren Jane, Sarah, Cole and Mackenzie. She spent the last moments of her life with all of them at her side loving on and thanking her for the amazing mother, woman and friend that she has been to us all.
A celebration of life service will be held at Yates Funeral Home in Hayden, Idaho, 373 E. Hayden Ave., on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, at 2 p.m., with reception following.
Memorial donations may be made honor of Karen to The Excel Foundation, Union Gospel Mission or Cancer & Community Charities.
Arrangements are provided by Yates Funeral Home
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