Pat Eppelsheimer, 79

Patricia (Pat) Jo Eppelsheimer, 79, of Columbia Falls, Montana, passed away on December 15th, 2025 at her home, surrounded by loved ones, after an arduous and brave three-year battle with breast cancer.
She was born in 1946 in Benkelman, Nebraska to Lester and Corinne Kline. As a young girl she moved to Greeley, Colorado with her parents and sister Sally, where she graduated from Greeley High School and attended Colorado State College. Her early adulthood was spent living abroad in Germany, courtesy of the US Air Force, eventually settling down in Arlington, Virginia to raise her two boys, Scott and Michael. Pat moved back to Aurora, Colorado in 1993, where she met and married Ken Eppelsheimer. In 2012 they moved to Whitefish, Montana to be closer to her boys and granddaughter.

Throughout her career, Pat found a sense of purpose in supporting and caring for others. She worked at the Red Cross headquarters in McLean, Virginia, as well as Mercy Housing in Denver, Colorado, whose mission is to find affordable housing for those in need. She finished her career working as a CNA at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish. She continued her passion to help others after retirement, volunteering at North Valley Hospital and Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish.

Pat loved the mountains. She enjoyed camping, spending time with her family and was an avid crocheter, making beautiful afghans over the years for newborns and loved ones. Her glowing smile and infectious laugh will be missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Pat is survived by her partner Hank Beebe; children Scott Kelley (wife Sally) and Michael Kelley (partner Malinda); granddaughter Maya; her sister Sally Koch; niece Shelley Prevost. She was preceded in death by her parents; niece Pam Koch; her husband Ken Eppelsheimer; brother-in-law Bob Koch.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, with a small reception to follow.

For those so inclined, please consider making a donation in Pat's memory to Shepherd's Hand of Whitefish, MT, or a charity of your choosing.