Karen Lee Espinosa

Of Aurora Colorado, died on Monday, September 1, 2014 at Denver Hospice following a very short battle with cancer.

Karen was born on October 12, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan to Robert and Marceline Parent. She was the oldest daughter of four children, having one brother and two sisters. She grew up in Grand Junction, Colorado where she was passionate about caring for her horses and riding them faster than all the boys. She graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1960. She began nursing school, but opted to get married to William Russell Connell and start her family where she had 3 sons, an adopted daughter, and many foster children. After a divorce, she then married Fred Billings and had her youngest son. She had one more husband, Greg Espinosa, and a special relationship with Ron Goble. Karen enjoyed working for many years as a Rater in various insurance companies. Her most recent position was as an associate Underwriter at Colorado Casualty. She lived up and down the Front Range in Colorado and for a short while in southwest Missouri. Karen was an active member of various churches in the Denver Metro area where she loved to play the organ and piano, feed the hungry, and help the needy. Her precious faith in Jesus empowered her to face many trials in life and face death with great peace and security. Wherever she was, she passionately cared for the people and animals in her life, especially for those that were down and out. Karen loved to scrapbook and quilt for those she loved. She was extremely thoughtful in sending and giving gifts to her many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was very careful to remember birthdays and special occasions. Throughout her life, she adored her many cats that gave her unconditional love. She loved recounting family stories. Her greatest achievement was being a mother and grandmother, loving many and being loved by so many more.

Karen was survived by her brother Robert (spouse, Kathy) Parent, her brother-in-law Ron Renshaw, and her sister Kathy (Cliff) Moore, her five children Susan (Wayne) Linscheid, Rusty (Jana) Connell, Wes (Melanie) Connell, Wayne (Sherri) Connell, and Shawn (Megan) Billings, her fifteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Marceline and her sister Kris Renshaw.

In lieu of flowers, you may honor Karen’s “carin’ spirit” by giving a donation to Invisible Disabilities Association via www.bit.ly/giveinmemory.