Karen (Graves) Gordon

Karen Elizabeth (Graves) Gordon passed away on February 6, 2015. Karen was born to Fielding and Viola (Nissen) Graves on January 18, 1950, in Dillon, Montana. She had fond memories of spending summers at their cabin in Birch Creek hunting arrowheads, fishing, picking wildflowers and roaming the mountains. Her Mom and Dad passed on a vast wealth of knowledge of family and local history, which she was so fond of passing on to others. She was proud of her "SOB" roots (Sons of Bannack) and the rich Graves family history and Nissen family history. Our Mom faithfully sent letters to her high school crush, Michael Lee Gordon, while he was honorably serving our country. Karen and Mike married on April 12, 1969, and spent 45 wonderful, precious years together. They moved to Kalispell, Montana after Mike graduated from Western Montana College. They moved back to Dillon a few years later and owned and operated M.L. Gordon Trucking. They sold the business in the early eighties and Karen went to work for Pioneer Federal Savings and Loan and retired in 2001 as Assistant Vice President. Karen and Mike were fortunate to spend retirement together 4-wheeling, camping, taking many cruises and vacations and enjoying life with family and friends! She was the biggest champion for animals and did not find a dog or cat she didn't love. Karen was preceded in death by her parents, Fielding and Viola Graves, Mike's parents, Lloyd and Faye Gordon, precious dog Francie and numerous aunts and uncles. Karen is survived by her soul mate, Mike, her children Jennifer and Tyler Tash and grand daughters Sage, Callie and Raelynn, Ryan and Courtney Gordon and grand daughter Emma, Casey and Justin "Chip" Rule and grand daughter Amanda, brother Lee Graves, sisters-in-law Nikki (Rob) Westlund, Penny (Jim) Alworth, Kari (Cary) Williams, brothers-in-law Pat (Christy) Gordon, Les (Gayle) Gordon, Kent (Sue) Gordon, Jon (Barb) Gordon and many treasured nieces and nephews. Her greatest joy in life was becoming a grandmother and cherished every minute with her family. She touched so many lives with her kindness and wonderful trait of listening without passing judgment. She opened her arms and took in "all the strays" and loved them as her own. We love you Mom and you are so, so loved and missed! Services will be held Monday, February 16, 2015, at Brundage Funeral Home at 2:00 and a reception to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to be made to a charity of the donor's choice.