On the morning of September 13, 2021, Karen went to be with her Lord and Savior at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, MT. Karen was 62 years old.
Karen Gregg was born on July 29, 1959, in the city of Orange, California. She was the fourth child and third daughter of Dr. Billy and Anita Reasoner.
Karen was a girl scout and enjoyed horseback riding as well as caring for a host of cats and dogs, leading her family to call her the animal whisperer. She had a great love for the outdoors, often picking wildflowers and leaving them at the doorstep to surprise her mom. Every May Day, she would send daisies to her mom to keep the tradition up. She spent summers with her family in Mexico, enjoying the beaches and vibrant culture. She attended Foothill High School in Santa Ana, CA, where she met her future husband.
After she graduated high school in 1977, she began working at Mervyn’s Department Store, first at the Tustin location before moving to the Ontario Distribution Center. She retired from Mervyn’s after approximately 17 years.
On August 25, 1979, Karen married the love of her life, Gordon Gregg, at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana, California. Over the years after her marriage, she lived in Orange, CA, Brea, CA, Chino, CA, Apple Valley, CA, before settling in Helena, MT. She raised two children, Josh who was born in 1983, and Sammie who was born in 1991.
During her time in Apple Valley, she served at High Desert Church in Victorville. She served in children’s ministries, high school ministries, as well as attending numerous women’s Bible studies and women’s retreat events.
Both of her children moved to Montana before her; Josh to Great Falls and Sammie to Bozeman. After her husband retired, they moved to Montana to be closer to their children.
Karen was actively involved in Life Church of Helena where she made numerous friends and taught the children’s Sunday school classes once a month.
Due to her husband’s influence, she became an avid NASCAR fan, cheering on her current favorite driver Chase Elliot every weekend.
Karen was preceded in death by her father Dr. Billy Reasoner and mother Anita Reasoner.
Karen is survived by: her husband, Gordon Gregg, son Josh Gregg (Lindsey), grandchildren Rohna, Paxton, and Nolan, daughter Sammie Gregg, and siblings Doug Reasoner (Candie), Valerie Hayes (Tim), Renee Goldin (Jack), and Janine Nailon (Jamie) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to the doctors and nurses of St. Peter’s Hospital for their care of Karen. Their kindness and compassion was appreciated by the family.
A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 2nd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave, Helena, MT. Karen will be interred at Resurrection Cemetery in Helena, MT. A reception will follow the burial in the social hall of the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations to her favorite charities can go to Life Church of Helena, The Mountain Lion Foundation located in Sacramento, CA, and Guide Dogs of America in Sylmar, CA.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11 a.m.
Saturday October 2, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday October 2, 2021
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Burial
Saturday October 2, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11 a.m.
Saturday October 2, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday October 2, 2021
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Burial
Saturday October 2, 2021
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Barbara Williams says
Gordon, to you and your family, I am so very sorry for your loss. I only met Karen a couple of times, but she was just so sweet. May she Rest In Peace.
Trinity Suarez says
Mrs. Karen , she was in my family’s life since we were LITTLE kids. I always remember how we always at her house playing with Sammie and the dogs.
She was always joy, love, peace, and laughter. She saw you for you. She is one of the biggest influences in my parenting, she is the mother I strive to be! And the wife I want to be.
She was the first non-teenager to see headbang at a Christian concert.
The person that taught me to care for farm animals. The person to taught me “Josh is a weenie and he doesn’t know anything”. The person who was always in God’s Word but never threw it at me.
Before I went into high school she made sure I saw myself as beautiful. She saw me for someone I need to be reminded of often.
I love you Mrs. Karen and you will live forever with the legacy you left with everyone you touched. Till we meet again in God’s presence.
Chastity Head says
I met Karen in 1997 as a coworker at High Desert Church. We became friends with by brood of four kids (Sean, Josh, Trinity and Cindy) and her youngest daughter, Sammie. From then on we did life together: Bible Study Fellowship, Children’s leaders, summers swimming, fall at women’s retreats, Vacation Bible School, Awana’s, New Years in jacuzzi’s, spring in poppy fields, dogs, chickens, horses, goats, NASCAR races and countless meals together. We were separated by time and miles but she was always my friend, my only best friend. I’m grateful for all she did for my family and all the time we had. I am better for having known her like so many others she cared for and gave to. I cry for all these times that have ended but smile knowing I’ll see you again. I love you my friend❤️
Renee says
It is so hard to put into words what my younger sister was to me. Growing up in a family with 5 children I was given the task of watching over Karen, one of the little ones, as our dad endearingly referred to her. With 4 girls in the family there was always competition for space. We shared the same room with bunk beds. Sunday mornings were a challenge sharing the same bathroom as we prepared to go to church.
Karen was her own person. She dared to be different from her sisters in many ways. She was the first to marry in our family. Her interests like her love for horses, guide dogs and all animals as well as nature were Karen’s thumbprint amongst her siblings. She was fun loving and loved to laugh.
As an adult the tables turned. Karen lovingly challenged me to grow my faith by first joining BSF and later challenging me to leadership. Her faith grew stronger by the year. Karen lived her faith by her actions. She loved God and loved people in the most real ways. She was the first to my door in times of trouble.
As we spoke of many times, she is now in her forever body with her many crowns of rewards from our Lord and Savior. I can just imagine your adventures now, Karen, and it brings a smile within me at the same time tears on the outside. A bittersweet good bye to you for now and at the same breath hope for our reunion in the future❣️
Cynthia Meyers-Cutcliff says
Dear Gordon and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss! I so Loved you both when I met you with Jeff Myers. My heart is sadden by your loss. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family! RIP Karen for we shall meet again!
Cynthia Meyers-Cutcliff