Carol Kay Eastep

A COLORADO NATIVE … Carol Kay Eastep, 87, of Colorado Springs, passed away on February 18, 2024 in Colorado Springs after a life filled with love and family and a long, brave battle with Alzheimer’s. She is now celebrating with our better angels.

Kay was born in The Beth-El General Hospital of Colorado Springs to Clifford and Glayds Allen on December 17, 1936. She was third youngest of 10 siblings. Opal Baker, Iris Miller, Belle Brown, Bill Allen, Jack Allen, Betty Freeman, Levon Jones, Kay Eastep, Nilla Green and Kent Allen.

Kay graduated from Truckton High School in 1954. She moved to Colorado Springs after graduation and began working as a waitress. She was married to Kenneth (Mike) Eastep on November 6, 1955 in Yoder Colorado and had four boys – Brian, Dennis, Steven and Michael.

Kay and Mike farmed in the San Luis Valley before moving to Fowler Colorado in 1967 where they started a meat processing business. They divorced in May 1970 and Kay remained a long-time resident of Fowler. She was an avid fan and cheerleader of her boys’ athletic activities. She loved country music, dancing and playing shortstop for the local women’s softball team.

Kay moved to the Loveland/Fort Collins area in 1980 where she worked as a camera film manufacturing operator for Eastman Kodak for 14 years. In 1994, Kay retired and again made her home in Colorado Springs. In her retirement years, she loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. The tradition continued (as she had done for her boys) by becoming her grandchildren’s biggest fan in their athletic endeavors. She loved going to the Sunrise Methodist Church and the Briargate YMCA where she built a large community of friends that she cherished and whom cherished her.

Kay is preceded in death by two sons – Dennis Eastep and Steven Eastep, one grandson Brandon Eastep, and her parents, Clifford and Glayds Allen, three brothers (Bill, Jack and Kent Allen) and one sister (Opal Baker).

Kay is survived by two children, Brian Eastep and Michael Eastep, eight grandchildren - Kristopher Eastep, Valerie Eastep, Ben Eastep, Kaytie Carabello, Emily Green, Garrett Eastep, Hayley Appleton, and Allie Eastep, and nine great-grandchildren.

Kay’s graveside service and burial will be held at Memorial Gardens on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 1pm.

The family of Kay Eastep wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Pikes Peak Acute Care Center staff, and Bristol Hospice of Colorado Springs. A VERY Special thanks and appreciation for Renee Shelton (Brian Eastep’s Sister-in-Law), for the passionate care she provided Kay as a hospice CNA as she reached the end of her life.