Karen KIMPEL

May 28, 1948 - June 25, 2025

Karen Ann Cox Kimpel, born in Spokane, WA, on May 28, 1948, to Wilburn Lorn Cox and Delores Irene Hinch Cox, passed away in Spokane, peacefully at home surrounded by family, on June 25, 2025, at the age of 77.

As the oldest of six children, Karen grew up in Hillyard and spent much of her childhood caring for and being the big sister to her siblings, Steve, Susie, Claudia, Ginny, and Bill. She attended St. Patrick's Catholic School through 8th grade, graduating from Marycliff High School in 1966. She later attended Spokane Community College to study social work and child advocacy.

She met her future husband, Dick Kimpel, while attending St. Patrick's School and they began dating in high school, Karen as a sophomore at Marycliff, and Dick as a junior at Gonzaga Prep. They were married in June 1968, and shortly after moved to Seattle, where Dick started a job as an aircraft mechanic at Boeing Everett. In the spring of 1969, they welcomed their first son, Rich, and soon after returned to Spokane to be closer to family. In the fall of 1971, they welcomed daughter, Jennifer, and summer of 1974 welcomed son, Greg.

Karen worked in several different fields throughout her life, including selling Tupperware and Avon while being a devoted stay-at-home Mom when the kids were young, at Hollister-Stier Allergy as a laboratory technician, and later as a bookkeeper in the family business, Fleet Painting.

She had a passion for working to improve the lives of at-risk mothers and children. She volunteered for the March of Dimes, the board of education at St. Patrick's Catholic School, and the Spokane County Court System as a guardian ad litem, advocating for children in need. She enjoyed gardening, interior decorating, antiquing, dancing, and listening to the "oldies".

Karen will always be remembered as a devoted and loving wife of 57 years, loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. The love for her family and friends was evident as she planned countless birthdays, holidays, and celebrations, preparing elaborate and delicious meals to bring everyone together. She was the glue that kept friends and relatives near and far, connected and part of the family circle. Karen's sense of humor, sharp wit and, most of all, her fierce and unconditional love for all "her people" will be greatly missed.

Karen is survived by her husband, Dick, of 57 years; son, Rich; daughter, Jennifer (Scott); son, Greg (Shannon); grandchildren: Derek, Ethan, Noah, Caius, Torsten, Calliope, Soren, and Coen; and siblings, Claudia Tevlin, Ginny Howard, and Bill Cox. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lorn and Delores Cox; siblings, Susie Caviezel, and Steve Cox; and granddaughter, Paige Villanueva.

A celebration of Karen's life will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum, 7200 N. Wall St., Spokane. Luncheon to follow at The Onion, 7522 N. Division St.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, https://vanessabehan.givecloud.co/give.