Karen Louise Eide

On April 29, 2025, Karen peacefully passed away at the age of 87 surrounded by family. Karen was born on August 16, 1937 in Billings, Montana to Louise and Byron Whitcomb of Red Lodge. She was the second of four children and grew up alongside her sister Jaye and brothers David and Donald. She graduated from Red Lodge High School in 1955, and was class Valedictorian and actively involved in various school clubs.

She attended the University of Montana, where she graduated with honors in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. It was at the University, that she met and fell in love with Ken Eide. They married 10 days after graduation and were together until Ken’s passing in 1998. During their marriage, Ken and Karen adopted and lovingly raised their children Kirk and Kathleen. The family spent many summers on the East Boulder River where Ken would fish, Karen would read, and friends were always welcome. In 1983, Karen earned her CPA designation together she and Ken opened the accounting firm of Eide & Eide, CPAs. It is fondly remembered that Karen spent more time at lunch and shopping with her best friend, Del Frank, than actually working.

Karen was a dedicated volunteer throughout her life. She was involved in the Billings Junior Women’s Club, the Junior League of Billings, the Association for Children with Learning Disabilities, and Young Families among others. In addition to volunteering, she enjoyed playing bridge with her lifelong friends and neighbors and was an avid reader participating in several book clubs. After Ken’s passing, she traveled extensively with the Global Grannies and enjoyed seeing many different parts of the world. She was a woman of deep faith and regularly attended Faith Chapel for services, Bible studies and teaching Sunday school.

Karen is proceeded in death by her loving husband Ken, parents, Byron and Louise Whitcomb, her sister Jaye (Whitcomb) Sundin, her brother-in-law, Sherman Sundin and her two very spoiled dogs, Charlie and Tuffy. She is survived by son Kirk (Teri) Eide, daughter Kathleen (Michael) Baugh; brother David (Cheryl) Whitcomb, Donald (Carol) Whitcomb; grandchildren Colin, Kevin Angland and their father Pat, Elizabeth (Samuel) Tjepkema; Tianna (Jesse) Flores, Hayden Eide; Gabriel Eide, and numerous great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

In memory of her, the family requests that you take and enjoy a walk, pet and spoil a dog, pick up a book and greet everyone with kindness. She was a beloved mother, sister and grandmother and she positively impacted so many lives in so many different ways. The family would like to thank all of the staff at West Park Village, especially the Pearls Garden team for taking such wonderful care of her. Cremation has taken place through Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary in Billings. A private interment will take place at a later date.