Karrie Espinoza

A golden, loving heart quit beating early morning Sunday May 31, 2020. Karrie L. Espinoza left this earth to spend eternity in heaven with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Karrie was at the family home where she received incredible loving care and support from the Hope West Hopice Care team. Although Karrie spent only 61 years here she left a legacy of immeasurable love, compassion and kindness to her family, friends, and anyone who knew her.

Karrie was born  October 10, 1958 in Great Falls, Montana to John Howard (deceased) and Carolyn Ulrich of Story, Wyoming. She moved at an early age to Casper, Wyoming where she attended school. The family moved once more to Laramie, Wyoming where she attended Laramie Senior High school. In Laramie Karrie met David Espinoza and they were married February 11, 1978.

Karrie worked at a large grocery store in Laramie, Wyoming as an assistant manager for several years when a severe back injury left her disabled and unable to ever work again.

Karrie won many outstanding customer service awards during her career as an assistant manager. Karrie became a foster parent which enabled her to share her love with troubled or neglected children in the Laramie community. She started a tradition of buying bicycles and toys for children in need during the Christmas holidays, a tradition she continued when she moved to Grand Junction and even when she became incapacitated and immobile.

Karrie loved playing softball, camping and fishing, Chevrolet Camaros, Minnesota Vikings, and all animals, especially eagles. She had a special place in her heart for German Shepherds and loved raising and training them.

Karrie was preceded in death by her cousin Chris Ransom of Casper, WY., stepfather Lyle Lake of Casper, WY., maternal grandparents Arnold and Kathyrn Ulrich of Casper, WY. and Harold and Marie Howard of Worland, WY. where she enjoyed many summers with them on "the farm".

Karrie is survived by her husband Dave Espinoza, daughter Angela Espinoza, son David Espinoza jr. all of Grand Junction CO., her two grandsons, Andrew Espinoza, Grand Junction, CO. and David Espinoza III, of Roswell, NM. Her mother Carolyn Ulrich, brother Mark Howard (Jennifer) Howard, nephews  Mathew and Nicholas Howard of Story, WY. and  sister Cindy (Ernest) Romero, niece and goddaughter Chelsea Romero  of Johnstown, CO.

A memorial service will be conducted at a later date.

Please consider making a memorial contribution in Karrie's name to: a local animal shelter, Hope West Hospice Care Center, or Karrie's Kids a GO Fund Me page being setup to continue providing bicycles to needy children in the Grand Junction community.

Services have been entrusted to Brown's Cremation and Funeral Services of Grand Junction, Colorado.