Karen Ailes

Obituary for Karen Lynn Ailes On the morning of Saturday May 16, 2009 after a long fight against Multiple Sclerosis, Karen Lynn Ailes, of Bozeman, Montana peacefully passed away. She will be greatly missed by her husband and soul-mate Todd, sons Kyle and Keith (whom she was very proud of!), their loyal Golden Retriever Kirby, her family, friends, doctors, nurses and caretakers, and all who had the great honor and joy of knowing her. Karen was an incredibly warm, funny, generous, kind-hearted woman who inspired all who had the pleasure of her company. Karen was born in Newark, Ohio March 29, 1957, to Richard and Kathryn Felumlee. Karen grew up in Granville, Ohio and graduated from Granville High School in 1975. She graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics and Consumer Sciences. After graduating, she moved to Montana in 1979 and married Todd, her high school sweetheart in Nevada City, Montana. This memorable celebration took place on September 26th, 1981 in a vintage passenger train's chapel car. They have called Bozeman Home ever since. Karen worked at the Baxter Hotel/Bacchus Pub/Pasta Company and partnered Ailes Landscape Service. Karen#8217;s strong and enormous heart was filled with many passions including numerous treks around the surrounding mountains, as well as local shops and boutiques in search of numerous antiques, especially purses, and other bargains. Her presence in the kitchen was unforgettable and recipes were never needed for a memorable meal. Karen was a devoted wife and mother. She loved landscaping, working in her yard, attending her sons' baseball games, and supporting her favorite professional baseball team, the Cleveland Indians. She also loved making her home warm and comfortable for all who entered, especially during holidays. She had a great eye for design, composition and colors, while always finding the perfect gift for the perfect occasion. Karen educated her children in many ways that left an endless impact on their outlook of life. She taught her boys numerous life lessons and never let them forget the Golden Rule. Karen touched hearts in ways that words can not explain, especially her husband, Todd#8217;s. The two took many roads and adventures together ranging from fall foliage trips in Ohio, to first tracks in the Bridgers, to watching waves break on both coasts. Music was a large part of Karen and Todd#8217;s everlasting bond. Their unique tastes blended into one. Todd knows he is the luckiest man in the world to have spent his life with Karen and started a wonderful family. We will be strong. The road goes on forever and the party never ends... Karen is survived by her husband, Todd and sons Kyle and Keith of Bozeman; her parents, Richard and Kathryn Felumlee of Alexandria, Ohio; her brother Randy and Lisa Felumlee and sons Rader, Ramen and Rylan of Madison Township, Ohio; niece Nicole Felumlee of Kent, Ohio; niece Jacqueline (Felumlee) Hudgens and husband Josh of North Olmstead, Ohio and son Jacob Ross; mother-in-law Corinne Ailes of Granville, Ohio; sister-in-law Linda Ailes of Granville, Ohio; nephews Ben and Luke Robertson of Ohio; and father-in-law Herbert Ailes and wife Barbara Ailes of Kiawah Island, SC. Karen was preceded in her passage to heaven by her two brothers, Ross (1993) and Ron (1975), maternal grandparents, Frank and Susan (Showman) Camp of River Road in Granville, Paternal grandmother and step grandfather Donald and Louise (Ressler) Felumlee-Chilcote of Morse Road, Alexandria and grandfather Verne Felumlee of St. Louisville, Ohio; four aunts, two uncles and her white dog Seka. For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one. ~ Kahlil Gibran Services will be held Wednesday, May 27th, High Noon, at the Jim Bridger Lodge at Bridger Bowl. Please bring photos, a side dish and your stories. Wearing lighthearted colors is requested for celebration of Karen#8217;s life. Karen, you are the cinnamon in the Snickerdoodles, the wave of the petunias, the honking of the Canadian geese in autumn and the sound of the falling rain. You made every flower and everyone who knew you blossom. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Karen Ailes Memorial Fund c/o Sterling Bank 5 W Mendenhall Street Bozeman, MT 59715 or: Montana Office of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 1629 Ave. D Suite 2-C Billings, MT 59102 (406) 252-5927