Katherine Kay Copenhaver

Katherine E. ‘Kay’ Copenhaver

(March 19, 1928 - Dec 26, 2017)
Katherine E. Copenhaver died Dec. 26, 2017, at New Horizons Care Center in Lovell. She was 89.
Kay was born March 19, 1928, in Baggs, Wyoming, to Mildred and Harry Jesmer. She received a degree in education and was a teacher, wife, and mother. She was a member of Hope Lutheran Church.
She married Ross Copenhaver on Sept. 14, 1948, in Baggs. Kay and Ross loved Wyoming, especially the mountains. They taught their kids to ski, fish, and camp, and regularly planned camping adventures where she particularly enjoyed catching and cooking a fresh brook trout.
Kay loved being around friends and family, especially children. She loved to bake and cook for others, and homemade treats for children were a regular occurrence. She was always up for a good game of poker or cards of any kind. She also enjoyed golfing and wintering in Surprise, Arizona. Kay and Ross spent many winters with friends in the snowbird community happy trails, she continued even after Ross's passing. When she could no longer camp, Kay enjoyed feeding and watching the birds in her yard as well as raising tomatoes and growing flowers. 
Kay was preceded in death by her husband Ross; brothers Wendell and Boyd; sister Shirley Zimmerman; and grandson Zach Copenhaver.
She is survived by sons Ronald (Carmia) Copenhaver of Centennial, Wyoming, Mark (Ann) Copenhaver of Powell and Tracy Copenhaver of Powell; grandchildren Melissa (Bruce) Bundgaard, Sarah (Ryan) Shdo, Ryan (JoLynn) Copenhaver, Alisa (Brent) Bissell; 11 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at First United Methodist Church in Powell. Memorials may be made to the NWC Foundation for Ross Copenhaver Memorial Scholarship.
Thompson Funeral Home is assisting the family and condolences may be sent to them at www.thompsonfuneral.net or P.O. Box 807, Powell, WY 82435.