Karen Gallagher

Karen Mari Gallagher Karen Mari Gallagher, 71, passed away on Saturday, June 1 st , 2024, at St. Patrick’s Hospital, despite an attempt by surgeons to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm. She was born July 31 st , 1952, to Frances and Benjamin Davis at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Oakland, CA. As a young girl she grew up in Dillon, MT with her siblings, and other family until 1959, when they moved to Missoula. She attended Hellgate High School, graduating in 1970, and went on to graduate from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in history. In 1973 Karen met and married Randy Merrill, and moved to South Dakota, where their daughter, Xondra, was born a year later. It wasn’t long before Karen moved back to Montana and met Bill Sparr, the couple welcomed their daughter Lisa in 1982, and were joined by Bill’s son, Mike. Karen was always active in the kids’ upbringing, often volunteering at the school, and frequently asked to make her famous glass candy for bake sales. She loved to read and appreciated all forms of word puzzles. She loved gardening, even crafting with her dried flowers. As a dedicated grandma, she would take the kids out to picnics in the park, was always ready with sweet treats and snacks, crafted all sorts of magical creations, read endless stories, and watched all the animated movies they wanted to. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa (Al) Richards, and her grandchildren, Eloura, Arabell, and Benjamin Richards; sisters, Kathryn (Mike) Barrett, Kristin Davis, Kelsa Davis, Karrie Gallagher; and their children, Anna Barrett, Libby (Jay) Barrett, Hunter Eichwald, and many cousins and extended family. Karen was a free spirit. Though the list of places she lived were extensive; Missoula and Lolo were always her home. Her smile and laugh were infectious, and you knew you were in her presence when you heard it. She was the greatest neighborhood weather watcher, always reporting what the wind was bringing towards Missoula, especially during fire season. A lover of backyard barbeques, great rock and roll, summertime in general, and celebrating her birthday. A celebration for Karen’s life will be held July 31 st , 3:00 at Garden City Funeral Home 1705 W. Broadway Missoula, MT. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health (johnritterfoundation.org) to educate others on aortic aneurysms.