Gary Kiepke Obituary

Gary was a great cousin and Christian brother who loved the Lord & his heart's desire was see his family members know Jesus Christ as their savior. I had good times of fellowship at celebrations of his mother birthday & miss his visits. My heart goes out to Kathy, his children and their families. God bless you.

Our lives will never be the same without Gary's warm and wonderful friendship. His life reflected an unusually bold and unwavering faith that surely resulted in eternal life for many, and deeper walks for those he mentored. His legacy will live on in his family (and friends) for generations to come. We miss him, but have the assurance we will enjoy him again in the future -- forever. Love, Bert and Lois Ann Groves

When we think of Gary, we always think of the strong faith he had in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for his total healing. Even though the Lord did not choose to heal Gary in his earthly body, He did choose to heal him in a far greater way by taking him to his heavenly home where there is no more suffering or pain. We can picture Gary Praising the Lord in his new Heavenly body.

Our friendship was short, but we have such precious memories of Gary and Cathy coming to our home with their arms laden with food to share with us during our years of sickness and pain. They were so loving and caring to share their dinner time with us on many occasions. They truly showed us the love of Jesus, and we will never forget their kind and generous hearts.

Gary and Cathy will always have a special place in our hearts and we look forward to opening our arms to Cathy. We are sorry we have not gotten to know the children and grand children, but we have heard nothing but wonderful things about you all.

With our Love, Sympathy and Prayers,

Larry and Judith Kindred

Gary was used by God to change my life. We used to knock head for hours on end, about our take on theology, and how we thought was doing things. It was a powerful example of "iron sharpening iron". The sparks flew, and the verbiage was intense, but we always ended with hugs and smiles. And guess what,......your Dad won the debate,.......he swung me over to his thinking,....and God used him to change my life.


I am very much indebted and grateful that God used your Dad to change me and to shape me and to improve my Christian mentality and walk with Him. I will always be a better Christian man,......and I'll always be a much stronger and more positive and confident Christian man,....because of you Dad - - - - -his words, his example, his friendship,.........and his family!


I look forward to seeing him in a few years, and we will joyously take up where we left off. Only this time,....we will have all the answers and be shouting hallelujahs together.


Your Dad is not just another man or friend,.......he is a mighty warrior for God's kingdom that powerfully impacted the Howell family during his ten year sojourn in Houston.


I looked up to your Dad in the past,.....and I look up to him and celebrate him rejoicing in heaven, now. :)


We love you each and pray God's sweetest encouragement, protection, and blessing!


All our love,


Chuck and Linda, Charles, Christen, and Catherine

We are so thankful to have known Gary for 25 years and enjoyed our friendship with Gary and Cathy through church, family and ministry for many years. We had a lot of fun watching our kids grow up together from easter egg hunts, thanksgiving dinners and many camping, fishing trips. Gary was a role model to the men in our family and a wonderful brother and prayer partner in Christ. We will miss his wonderful personality, precious smile, great wisdom and revelatatory insights in the Lord. He lived his life to the fullest and left us with great admiration. He was a gift to us all.
With love
Trig and Beve Jo Gamble

If I ever met "a man after God's own heart," it was Gary. What a legacy he
left in this world!

Dick Guffey

I knew Gary for almost l9 years, and I was so blessed by our friendship. I always admired his dedication to his Lord which was evidenced by his diligent study of the Bible, his participation in couples' Bible study groups with Cathy, the marital counseling he & Cathy did together, and his regular church attendance and involvement. Most of all he instilled a firm foundation of Christian beliefs in his three children who are now teaching the next generation. Most admirable was his determination to continuing to teach his grandchildren about biblical truths, even in the last weeks and days of his life. Gary was authentic in his beliefs and in the way he lived and died. I shall never forget his fine example of what it is to be a follower of Christ. Gary showed us all how to live and also how to die, with dignity. Sarah Clayton

Dear Kiepke Family,
My thoughts and prayers have been with you. I was in awe of how you honored Gary and shared his life at his heartfelt memorial service at Arrowhead Golf Course. Gary was truly a godly man of integrity who loved his family dearly. He enjoyed life to its fullest always being admired and held in highest esteem by his family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. I pray that God's grace continues to comfort you with peace, rest and hope. Please know that I care and am here for you.
Love,
Sherry Jones

Dearest Cathy and the entire Kiepke Family,
As Linda expressed earlier, Cathy, Gary's memorial service was the most meaningful we've ever attended. God and Gary were appropriately honored and we were so pleased to have been invited. We wish we had had the opportunity to give you a loving hug and to have been able to express our deepest sorrow and support.
Cathy you may not know this or not but you and Gary were the first deep friends that the Lord led us to after moving from So. Calif. in 1993 and committing to NLC. When we sit down and reflect, we have so many rich and happy memories of all the times we spent together. For me, meeting Gary was like a whirlwind. Before I knew it, he had me buying a belly boat, waiders and bicycles for both Linda and me.

Some of our sweet memories include bicycle rides to downtown, camping in Aspen and at BRB and delightful times in Redstone. All of our outings, evenings together with just the four of us and trips to beautiful Colorado getaways that you introduced us to. And the forever, all time most memorable of all was our never to be forgotten 'Triple-Auto Breakdown Trip' weekend trip to BRB. Who but us, could drive three cars into the ground in a three day weekend and end up laughing the whole time! That forever will be the most joyous camping-outing of our lives! And, of course, there was the afternoon where Gary said he had something special to show me up beyond Marble (i.e. the famous mill at the river's bend). Only after we got on what I deem to be a 'death-defying', boulder-strewn and only wide enough for one automobile road, I exclaimed, 'Gary, this is crazy, what are you thinking?! And that was the Gary we knew and loved! Totally full of life and adventure! Never a challenge too hard to address and always with a positive, Christ-honoring attitude.

Another occasion that stands out is when Gary was leading one of the early-on NLC 'sermon cell groups' at your Windjammer home and he had been instructed by the powers to be that the group had gotten too large and needed to be divided into 3 or 4 other groups. I remember Gary beginning to indicate who he had in mind to lead the new groups and up our beloved, dear, sweet
'senior saint, Madeline Harris, pipes up, 'Gary, were not going to do that!'. That's the most pflumaxed I can ever remember seeing Gary on any occasion!

Yes, Cathy it's been a joy to have had you both as our dear friends and know that yours was a truly blessed marriage that God ordained from the foundation of the world. Our thoughts and prayers remain with you and we trust that you will find comfort and encouragement in the joy that you brought to ours and so many others lives by simply being 'our friends'.

God bless you and your beautiful family, Cathy!

Phil and Linda

Gary and I shared good memories with each other, our love for the Lord Jesus Christ and our desire to share Christ with our family members. Today Gary is rejoicing in His presence and we walk each day looking forward to the day when shall see Jesus face to face and cast our crowns at his feet. We enjoyed the pictures. Judy and I want to express our condolences to Kathy, Jeff, Brent, Casey and all the family members. Mike & Judy Kiepke ( Phoenix, AZ )

ike & Judy Kiepke

Dear Cathy and Family - It was a distinct privilege to know Gary Kiepke. He was a spiritual giant and a man who gave me great encouragement and wise counsel. I thank God for letting our paths cross. May God bless and comfort each of you.
I Cor 15:55.
Curtis Shore

I will always remember the man who nick nameed me "E Dog the Bull Frog". Mr. Kiepke was a great family friend and I will cherish the fond memories of the Wilson / Kiepke get togethers we had over the years.
-Eric Wilson

"It is strange that I fell so numb and excited all at the same time regarding Gary's arrival at the throne of our Father. I'm pretty sure that your husband really has no idea what a huge influence and role model he was for so many men, me included. I've never known a man like Gary, nor will I ever know another one in my lifetime. Gary was without out a doubt my closest friend in the world and the only man I can truly say I loved. He was and still is an amazing man."

This is Ted and Nancy Lyke, It is mid day on Wed Aug 18th, I received the message about Gary’s triumpfull passage into heaven this morning. My heart goes out to all of you in this time of needing God’s grace to look beyond the natural into the realm of the Spirit. It is only by faith that we can rejoice in a time like this knowing that God is faithful and his promise or eternal life is true. I believe Gary is one of the hero’s of faith listed in Hebrews 11:25b that says, “Some died in faith believing, not having received the promise that they could obtain a better resurrection.” Jeff’s e-mail is an inspiration and an encouragement to all of us who love Gary and you to be strong in our faith and rejoice in the promise and the goodness of God as we move forward to the eternal blessings that we have been given in Christ.

We just want to send you our love and let you know that we highly regard and esteem you both. You are two very precious people, and we are so grateful God has allowed our paths to cross. You are in our hearts and in our prayers. We love you, Gary & Cathy~~~Denise & Ted

"When we moved to Colorado we had few friends and no family. Getting to know Gary through the bible study with Dan Lamb and then developing a friendship with the Kiepke's was like having family in Colorado.



Because I have a photographic memory as well as several pictures of things we did together I can think back and smile about many times we have spent together.



I remember meeting Gary and Cathy at an Andrew Womack marriage enrichment seminar with Rich and Tina Diasio in Jan of 1985. Then meeting you again in Denver at one of Dana's Bible studies in the Denver Tech Center around 1987.



Some of my best Elk hunting memories where with Gary. The long one day trips to Holy CO for pheasants and ducks. Still have a beautiful picture of Gary with the Blond Lab and 5 green heads at horse creek.



The Testimony of Christ in Gary, and his faith in Him and the word of God still provokes me to love and good works. Gary is one of the few people that I have met that have the Gift of Faith. The testimony of the house he was building in the black forest and the missionary offering , giving it all and then the 100 fold return coming with in minutes still stirrers me to tears in God's response to his faith and obedience.



I am sorry that I am so far away in the natural but I am close to him in the Spirit. He is Blessed and he is a blessing."
Ted Lyke

Dear Cathy and family,

Our deepest sympathy on such a tremendous loss. Gary's life and and courageous fight has made an impact on all who had the privilege to know him.
May precious memories and the love and concern of family and friends give you the Lord's peace which passes all understanding.

Love, Sue and TJ Mangold
Atlanta, GA

Cathy, I want to thank you and Gary again for being there for Brad and me April 13, 1996. You were sent by our heavenly Father. I do not know where we would be today with out you teaching us to walk by Faith and not by sight. To walk by God's Word and not how we feel. I will miss Gary, his smile, his optimism, his love for God! But his memories are strong in my heart. I look forward to being with him again in the near future.
Dana Kunkle (Colorado Springs, CO.)

Cathy and Family,

We are so thankful for the time we spent together at Christian Women's Club activities. We especially remember the Couples Club dinners we shared with you and Gary. We are also appreciative of the time you and Gary spent visiting Tania in the hospital this past year. Our prayers are with you as you continue your life serving Jesus without your helpmate.

Dear Cathy and Family, We were grateful to be with you for Gary’s memorial service. It was such a testimony to his life. As was so well depicted at the service, he lived his life to the fullest by embracing his God through study and memorization of the Scriptures, his family by loving them well and expecting them to be strong and able to embrace the hard things in life, his work by never missing a day and working with zeal, and his recreation by pursuing all endeavors with passion and excellence. He was genuine in his daily walk. It was an honor to be a friend and one of his golf buddies for a time. We are praying for you as you grieve and remember your precious husband, dad, and grandpa. We will miss him along with you.

Our love & prayers, Doug & Sandy Holden

Dear Cathy, It was a pleasure knowing Gary and feeling the strength of his faith. May you feel the Lords presence in your life at this time knowing that He loves you and will give you comfort.

Blessings from your friend, Joe and Linda Vester

Cathy we have such wonderful memories of the cell group with you and Gary. The camping trips, the house meetings and the great prayer walk in Leadville were some of our fondest memories. We will always remember Gary for his great love of the Father and his steadfastness in facing the trials of live. He and you will always be a wonderful part of our lives.
Tom and Tommie

Cathy, Jeff, Mindy & family, Brent, Shannon & family amd Chuck & Casey & family:
We all have the great loss of, Gary, a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend and miss his presence very much, however we also know that heaven has gained a great asset!! As we think about Gary the scripture that comes to mimd for us is Hebrews 12: 1 & 2: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses (Gary is a part of that now in heaven with the rest of the witnesses from Hebrew 11), let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." That is exactly how Gary lived his life running the race to the high calling of Jesus Christ. What a good example for us to remember. In the meantime, while all of us are waiting to go to heaven to be with Jesus and participate in the great reunion with our friends, like Gary. Let us not forget to persevere everyday and bring the message of Christ to others, building HIS Kingdom, glorifying and honoring our Lord! Alleluia
We LOVE all of you!

Patty I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear brother. He is rejoicing with Jesus and enjoying the land of the living as we are still in the land of the dying. We will pray that your heart is filled with peace not pain. Lots of love, Dena & Greg Patton

Dear Patty and all the Kiepke Family.
I did not know Gary, but I knew his sister, Patty. She is a wonderful person, who dearly loved her brother and thought the world of him. I can tell by Gary's Photo Gallery, he had a full life with his lovely family and friends. It appears he loved his family and friends and they loved him. I know they will miss him dearly as much as he did not want to leave them. His loving memory will remain in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved him.
God grant him Eternal Life in your Kingdom.
My Sincere Sympathy to Patty and all the Kiepke Family,

Dear Virginia, Patty and Tom,

We hope this quote will bring you peace and comfort at this difficult time. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." ~ From a headstone in Ireland.

God Bless you and all the members of your wonderful family.

With sympathy and love,

Sorry to read about your loss. Gene and I are thinking and praying for you all.
Remember the good times and keep the good thoughts.
Love to you all
Gene & Karel Lynn (Kiepke) Critel
Grand Island, NE

Cheryl, myself and our family have Cathy, Jeff & Mindy, Brent & Shannon, Casey & Chuck, and all of Cathy's & Gary's grandchildren, Aunt Virginia, Bob, Ted, and Patty in our prayers. As teenagers my brother and Gary went duck hunting with uncle Elmer and visited them in Show Low. We saw Gary play Phoenix Indian School and I believe they won the state championship that year. He was an excellent athlete in all sports that he participated. Gary will be greatly missed and we know that he is rejoicing in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ, our Eternal Father, the angels, and the saints of God. We pray that that the Lord will comfort you and give you strength.

Dear Patty and Tom: There is so little we can say at a time of loss like this, but know that our hearts go out to you. May the comfort of family and friends give you strength for today and the days to come.
Jim and Jae Dickey

We send our deepest sympathy to the entire family...Although we didn't have the privilege of meeting Gary, we were kept abreast of who he was through the Kiepke family and through Ben and Andrea. People like Gary come through the sky once in a fleeting moment....we remember their light and what they brought to our lives.

Dear Patty and Tom: Jayne and I wish to express our deepest sympathies on the loss of Patty's brother, Gary. It is evident from your description that he was a wonderful person, much loved. May God grant you His peace and solace at this difficult time.
Michael and Jayne Rhames

Gary has been a Blessing in my life. I will miss being called Sis, but I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend with Gary over the years. I will always treasure the memories of camping and fishing in the White Mountains, watching Gary excel in sports, his magnetic personality, his spiritual guidance, our walks thru the park, bike rides, golfing, playing cards and family get togethers in Colorado and Arizona.

Gary has been an inspiration in the way he lived his life and trusted in the Lord to carry him through this illness into the safety of His arms.

Little Sis,

Cathy, Jeff & Mindy, Brent & Shannon, Casey & Chuck, and all of Cathy's & Gary's grandchildren and extended family,

Gary was cheered on his birthdays; when he would sink a basket or a putt, hit a baseball a mile, run a with the football for a first down, or down a large game with an arrow; but the biggest cheer is when he went so humbly into heaven.

We thank God for Gary and we thank Gary for sharing his life with us. Because Gary put the word of God into action, he and we hear the wonderful praise from God, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

Christ's Peace, Love and Joy be with each of you in all you do.

We are all better men for knowing Gary.

Band of Brothers

Cathy and family--Wanted you to know I think of you often and have wonderful memories of all the fun times we had as a family. Gary was such a fun-loving, steady kind of guy with a wonderful smile. My prayers are with you all. Love, Jacque

Gary was a very special friend & his last days, like the rest of his life were a testimony to his great faith & his strength! He kept a positive attitude to the end & still had his love for life, family & his overwhelming faith in God & His goodness. He truly "lived strong."
People often show their faith by how they deal with the trials they go through- not just when the are showered with blessings. Gary went through his trial well, as did you Cathy & the rest of your family! Gary is now with Jesus & I know he was greeted with "well done, good & faithful servant." He will be greatly missed by us all. Becki & I will always cherish all the good times (& a few tears) we shared with you & Gary.

Mrs. Kiepke-

I wish I was there to give you a huge hug. Even though I know Mr. Kiepke is basking in our Lord's presence I know you and all who were privledged to know him- miss him dearly.

He had an impact on my life because you could see in action his love for the Lord, you and his children. This was a "bar" I have attempted to emulate in my life as a wife, mother and in my walk with the Lord.

Please tell Jeff, Brent and Casey I send my condolences.

Hang on to the memories when your heart aches and smile.

Love,
Missy (Dormish) Kelley

So sorry to hear of Gary's death. I am certain there is a glourious celebration going on now that he has seen the Lord. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Shirley Dormish

I met Gary & Cathy only a few times. I know Casey through my son and daughter. I have never heard a negative word spoken about Gary. I believe he loved God with all his heart, soul & mind. Heaven is a bit brighter with him there. My love & prayers to Cathy, his children and grandchildren as well as other family members and friends. God Bless. Valerie Bradshaw

Praying for You & your dear family
Linda/New Life Church Receptionist

Gary, Cathy, and family: We weep for your loss and celebrate Gary's life and coronation with you! Praying for God's comfort, peace, and hope for all of you. Gary's life has left quite a legacy, and certainly significant footprints on our family.

Our friendship (since 1958)is something I cherish. Getting to share in the love you and Gary had for so many years is a wonderful inspiration. I remember when you met at NAU and your beautiful wedding. May your memories and strong faith in the Lord bring all of you a peace that Gary would have you experience.

Dear Cathy, Jeff, Brent, and Casey
Gary was a great mentor to me in Jesus and Business. He always made time for me in his office. Gary was huge in my life in both church and business. we first met in a little church called Vineyard in the late 80's. He gave me business all over the world in the bottle water steelhead company. I think he knew that every time he gave me a job in some corner island somewhere that he could count on me to share about the Lord Jesus we both served. Yup Gary always made time to speak about the Lord Jesus. Gary would also go on and on about how proud he was and how much he loved Cathy and the kids.
What a great man of God! A man of few regrets. I knew Gary to be a man of consistent character even under pressure. I never heard him curse or get angry over the many years of working together. And i gave him plenty of opportunities. What a Godly business man he will be sorely missed.
My prayers go out to Cathy kids and family
Contact me

To the Kiepke family:

I was so sorry to read of Gary's passing. Although it has been many years since our softball days, I still remember the great times we had.
Our prayers are with you and your family. Jim and Jo Perry

Cathy, Brent and family: Kathy & I want you to know our prayers are with you. Even though we have not seen each other in a long time we think of the special time God allowed us to be together. Your influence in our lives continue today.
God Bless you. Dale & Kathy

Cathy, Jeff, Brent, and Casey - We will always remember Gary as such as optimist, wiping his glasses BEFORE eating a grapefruit! He always saw the possibilities in business ventures and believed the best in people - even when their shortcomings were glaring. He never let negativity render him immobile. He was a man of prayer and a man of action. His counsel was sound and biblically based.

We will always remember the great times of laughter the four of us have enjoyed, as well as good eating! There was nothing Cathy and Gary wouldn't be willing to share and we love their open hearts towards others. Gary's legacy lives on in you children and I know the love in your family is stronger than ever. God bless you all!

Tom & Betsy

Dear Cathy, children, Patty,
Ted,Bob,and
Aunt Virgina,

Tears fill my eyes as I viewed the pictures of Gary. The eyes are all Kiepke and I am missing my dear mother.

He reminds me so much of Uncle Arnie, the sparkle is so evident in his eyes.

Having only been around Gary at family functions when very young and only once in Az, I am sure that I missed out on a wonderful cousin thing.

Please know that I prayed and prayed for his healing and sent out so many prayer requests for him.

We will continue to pray for each of you, healing from a great loss takes time. We never know the "why's" but someday we will have the answers.


With Love and Prayers,

Cheryl Evenson, Lyle Dencklau, Elizabeth Evenson-Dencklau, and Zander Evenson-Dencklau

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace."

Cathy and I have been close friends since grade school. She and I met our husbands about the same time in college and though our paths didn't always keep us together we have always been like sisters and have remained closely knit in our hearts. Gary has always represented the best of the best as a husband, father and grandfather. His great faith has carried them through all the storms of life and has been bequeathed to his children who have been so blessed by their father. Gary is the one of the most loving and giving men I've known. He brought laughter and joy wherever he went. I will miss Gary and feel that void always but am thankful that heaven is before us and we will see him again in eternity.
Beverley Shook

I did not know Gary, except through a few interactions and the love of his son, Jeff. However, I saw in him a golden heart, because it didn't take but an instant to perceive it. His legacy of giving grace and tenderness will live on in many generations to come. I pray you, his family and close friends, feel his personality and friendship in the days to come. I pray you are comforted as only God can comfort. Many blessings on the Kiepkes. Love, Mary Ellen and the boys