Karon Baertsch

Karon Baertsch

Karon Rose (Hofeldt) Kimball) Baertsch, 80, passed away peacefully at home June 26, 2024 after a 3 year battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cancer. She had wonderful care at St. Pat's Cancer Center from Dr. Sara Scott and all the Nurses in the center. She was born April 29th, 1944 to Paul and Doris Hofeldt in Havre, MT. She grew up on the family ranch in the Bears Paw Mountains herding sheep, bucking bales, wrestling calves and many other chores. She also became a wonderful cook and always looking for new recipes.

Karon was a gentle, caring, giving person who could make you feel like you were the most important person in the world. Everyone who knew her will miss her humor and her comforting cheerful laugh. She was always upbeat and positive. We will all miss her presence in our lives. She was a hard worker and remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

She graduated from Chinook High School and went on to earn her teaching degree from Montana-Western in Dillon and Eastern Montana College in Billings, Throughout her 39 1/2 years of teaching first-grade, she taught hundreds of students, many of which still love her today, along with their parents. Her first teaching job was a one-room Ada country school. She taught in Havre, Chinook and moved to Missoula in 1975 and continued teaching.

On August 15th, 1965 Karon married Herb Kimball in Chinook, MT. They were married for 18 years and had one child, Kari, 1975, Missoula, Mt. Not only was her daughter very special to her, also they were the best of friends. In 1990 Karon met and fell in love with Clint and they were married in 1992. Her family grew over night by two daughters and a son.

After meeting Clint she took up skiing, golf, hiking into mountain lakes where she caught her first fish, running where they ran many races in Western Montana and Spokane, WA.

They went to many rodeos throughout the state and Las Vegas. In 1989 Karon and her brother Dale took part in the "Great Montana Centennial Cattle Drive" riding their horses with the Chinook, MT group. She loved to travel and spend time in Las Vegas at their time-share soaking up the sun by the pool. She loved her Corvettes and taking midnight drives on a hot summer night with the top down and other items.

Karon was an avid sports fan and supported The University of Montana Griz Athletics. She hardly missed a Griz football game and went to many out of state games. She went to all the men's & ladies' basketball games. She loved all her Griz gear and jewery, something for every occasion. She belonged to the Grizzly Scholarship Association (GSA), Quarterback Club, Missoula Exchange Club, served as Board of Director and Hellgate Corvette Club member.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Doris Hofeldt. She is survived by her husband, Clint Baertsch; daughter, Kari (Glen) Johnshoy Missoula; step-daughters: Shaunna (Bill) Bossier, Helena, Shoni (Shawn) Ishler, Dillon; step-son, Shane (Pam) Baertsch, Missoula; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, plus one on the way; brother, Dale Hofeldt and sister, Paulete Keller; several nieces and nephews and many special great friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to Missoula Exchange Foundation (Child Abuse Prevention) P.O. Box 8926, Missoula, MT 59807 or Grizzly Scholarship Association (GSA) P.O. Box 7159, Missoula, MT 59807.

Funeral Services with luncheon to follow for Karon will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Garden City Funeral Home, 1705 W. Broadway, Missoula, MT 59808. Burial will follow at Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery at 2:30 p.m., 1911 Tower Street, Missoula.