Karen Templeton

Karen Jean Osberg Hepler Templeton, 79, passed from this life to LIFE (John 3:16) at 6:00 a.m. on August 16, 2025 at her home in Moscow, Idaho, in the presence of her loved ones.

Karen was born January 24,1946 in San Diego, California, the only child of Vera Elizabeth (Helgren) and Chester Ferdinand Osberg of Chicago, Illinois. Her father, an aerospace engineer, was soon transferred to Texas, where Karen began kindergarten and contracted a mild case of polio; her mother developed a severe case and nearly died. Her mother’s extended hospitalization and lingering paralysis shaped the course of Karen’s life. She often told of walking home from school, praying, “God, please don’t let my mommy die. Please don’t let my mommy die.” “And He didn’t,” she would say. This experience solidified her childlike faith in Jesus at a young age, and she trusted in God’s care for her physical and spiritual needs all the days of her life.

The family moved back to San Diego, where Karen grew up attending College Avenue Baptist Church and graduated from Grossmont High School in 1963. She studied Home Economics at San Diego State University for one year before marrying Stephen D. Hepler in 1964. She worked as a bank teller at American Savings in Whittier, CA, until she gave birth to their only child, Julie Anne, in 1967. Shortly afterward, the little family bought their first home in Anaheim, CA.

Karen excelled at typing and shorthand, working as an executive secretary for Global Van Lines (the official movers of Disneyland!), Singer American Meter, and Hughes Aircraft. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Anaheim and expressed her love for God and music by singing soprano solos and in the choir for years. Her hobbies included sewing, embroidery, quilting, piano, interior decorating, and dancing, but she loved visiting with friends and family more than anything. Her sweet spirit, ready smile, sense of humor, and genuine interest in others won her many friends and the love of her family.

After marrying Ray Templeton in 1996 and following Julie’s family to Moscow, Idaho, Karen and Ray parlayed her passions into profit. They established Designs and More, a small quilt shop and classroom, in their barn, and Karen added Nail Artistry (also the name of her business) to her array of skills, combining her attention to detail with her love of people. She was an enthusiastic member of Palouse Patchers and continued to serve in music ministry at Trinity Baptist Church in Moscow, Idaho until Alzheimer disease took its toll.

Karen is survived by husband Ray Templeton, daughter Julie Hepler Bailey (Dan), granddaughters Elizabeth Lillico (Dustin), Jamie Roderick (Taylor), and Christen Wright (Gabriel), great-grandchildren Brailey, Maddie, and Joshua Lillico, Gwen and Nora Roderick, Lydia Sage “Boofa” and Caleb Wright, ex-husband Stephen Hepler, and step-children David Templeton (Shanna) and Angela Purdy (Zachariah).

A celebration of Karen’s life will be held on September 13, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church, 711 Fairview Dr., Moscow, Idaho, followed by a light dinner reception.