Obituary of Patricia Katherine Pepper

Patricia”Tricia” Katherine Pepper, 71 of Karval passed away November 9, 2017. Born March 15, 1946, she was the second child of Clinton Eugene DeLong and Erma Katherine Amend, who raised her and her siblings in Rocky Ford. On September 19, 1964 she was united in marriage to Larry James Pepper and shortly after moved to make their life in Karval. To this union were born Cynthia Jo, Eric James, and Katie Jean. Her family was her pride and joy. She spent many hours helping her children overcome life’s obstacles. She encouraged them to be the best they could be and established a great love of reading in all of them. She loved helping all children and began babysitting at the age of 12. All her grandchildren were loved and cared for by her throughout the years. She also watched many of her nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. While watching children she encouraged them to read and gave gifts of books to whoever she thought could use them, especially to Karval Elementary School. She was proud to have worked at the Karval School as a para for special needs students. Her closeness to God was well known and she shared her experiences with her family to help in their own spiritual growth. Preceding her in death were her parents and sister Diana Sopko. She is survived by her beloved husband, Larry; sister Becky (Gary) Grasmick of Rocky Ford, brother Joe (Cheryl) DeLong of Pueblo West; children Cynthia Eichler (Bernard Borkowits) of Fort Collins, Eric (Gwen) of Pueblo West, Katie (William) Zipperer of Karval; grandchildren Nolan Eichler of Fort Collins, Anastasia Eichler of Fort Collins, IC3 Matthew (Shelby) Pepper of Guam, Rebecca (Shawn) Griffith of Grand Junction, Amanda Pepper of Limon, Justin Aaron of Limon, Kristal Aaron of Pueblo West, and Zea Zipperer of Karval; great-grandchildren Dante Griffith, Daniel Pepper, and Bentley Dunnuck and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.