February 23, 1936 - June 17, 2023
Klea Chrystal (Crane) Copeland passed away at Sacred Heart Hospital on June 17, 2023 after a brief illness. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister, auntie, cousin, and friend to many. Klea was born to Earl and Helen (Chrystal) Crane on February 23, 1936 in Potlatch, Idaho. Klea grew up in the small logging town of Bovill, Idaho. It was an idyllic town to grow up in…lots of relatives and friends and outdoor activities. Her parents owned the Bovill grocery store and Klea and her younger sister Doris Ann worked in the store during summers. Klea graduated from Deary HS in 1953 and attended the University of Idaho. Klea was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. She had many life-long friends from her time in the Phi House. At U of I Klea met the love of her life, the cute baseball player Ray Copeland from Lewiston, and the two were married for 62 years. (Ray passed in 2020). Upon graduation Klea and Ray located to Spokane, then in 1968 moved to Chattaroy, to raise their four children. Ray worked for Old National Bank and Klea was the secretary at Riverside High School for many years before becoming secretary to the superintendent. Many students fondly remember ‘Mrs. C.’ for her kind and loving heart and ask after her often. Klea’s children were involved in many school activities and she tried her very best to never miss one! In 1983, Ray and Klea relocated to the Boise area for Ray’s job change. They joined the Plantation Golf Club where Klea was an active member of the Women’s League. They made many wonderful friends during their time there. In 1994 Ray retired and they adopted the RV lifestyle for over 20 years. They became snowbirds and began spending their winters in Casa Grande, Arizona where they enjoyed many friends and various fun activities, especially golf, bridge and line-dancing. They summered in the northwest and greatly enjoyed the annual family camping reunion on the St. Joe River where Mom and Dad were the matriarch and patriarch of our clan. Mom was the annual cribbage tourney champ several times; her nickname was ‘Card Shark Klea’! Mom was an avid sports fan and loved watching golf, baseball and NCAA basketball, especially the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Go ZAGS! Klea is survived by her four children Debbie (Steve) Wilkins, Pamela Copeland, Greg (Leslie) Copeland, Alan (Teresa) Copeland and her grandchildren Kelly (Josh) Merrick, Corey Copeland, Garrett Wilkins, Scott Wilkins, Kacie (Jacob) Pacheco, and great-granddaughters Ariana Merrick and Mila Pacheco. Klea is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved, and her wonderful sister and brother-in-law Doris and Lynn Tower. Mom was truly the matriarch of our family; a role she relished. In remembrance of Klea, contributions can be made to the Alpha Phi Foundation (alphaphifoundation.org) or Bovill Improvement Group (bovilloperahouse.com) or the charity of your choice. A celebration of life service will be held August 11, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, Spokane. Reception to follow.
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