Carolyn Elizabeth Lepka passed away Sunday, November 13, 2022 at Brookdale Assisted Living in Richland, Wa. Carol was born on November 29, 1933 to Gordon & Mary McNew in LaClede, Idaho. She grew up with her parents and two brothers on a post depression farm, where self sufficiency was vital. She attended Sandpoint Idaho schools where she met the love her life, Robert (Bob) L. Lepka. They were married on June 10th, 1950. Her husband enlisted in the Air Force in January 1951. Carol was pregnant at that time and gave birth to her first of three sons, Stanley (Stan) J. Lepka. Carol & her son stayed with her parents in Sandpoint while Bob served overseas. Two years later he was stationed in Chanute Field in Illinois. The couple resided in Champaigne, Illinois when their second son, Robert P (Paul) Lepka was born. Upon her husband's discharge from the Air Force the couple relocated back to Sandpoint Idaho, where she gave birth to her third son, John G. Lepka. The couple later moved to Newport, Washington where Bob found employment at the Diamond Match Co. while Carol started her career as a pharmacy assistant at Kimball Drug Store. In the summer of 1962 the family relocated to Pasco, Washington where Bob opened his first barbershop and Carol found employment at Lyle's drug store in Kennewick Washington. After Lyle's closed, she then went to work at Corks Pharmacy until her retirement. Carol and Bob loved spending time with friends and family, bowling, golfing, going dancing, singing karoke, and spending time together in the mountains. In the early 90's, they bought a trailer in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon and built it into a great cabin for all to enjoy. Filled with laughter, snowmobiles, ATV's, feeding wild animals, huckleberry picking and fun. She and Bob enjoyed life together in their Golden years of retirement. They took off and drove across country. Enjoyed as many museums, monuments, and sites along the way, ending up in Kentucky so Bob could fulfill his life long dream of watching the Kentucky Derby in person. When they made their way back, they settled into life, spending weekends up at the cabin and weekdays in town with the grandkids. Carol loved having her family around. She enjoyed sewing, crafting, huckleberry picking, canning, and baking. She especially enjoyed baking for those she loved, which was everyone in her family and friend circle. Friends turned into family with Carol and Bob. She had a way of making you feel so special. Always making sure she had one of your favorites on hand, just in case you stopped by. There was room for everyone at the pool, or with them at the cabin. Baking was another way of having one of those favorites on hand. Never was there a time when she didn't have some kind of baked good to nibble on at her house or the cabin. She is famous for her huckleberry and lemon meringue pies.

Carol is preceded in death by her husband Bob, parents Gordon and Mary McNew, brothers Gordon McNew and Jim McNew. She is survived by her boys, Stan (Suzie) Lepka, Paul Lepka, and John (Karen) Lepka, her grandchildren, Scott Lepka, Sarah Lepka, Sam Softich, Rochelle (Lorenzo) Ubay, Sean Lepka, and Ciara Lepka. Her great grandchildren, Lauren (Ryan) Kainrath, Lane Lepka, A.J. Lepka, Xander Ubay, Matteo Ubay, Briella Ubay, Jordan Vargus, and Melanie Vargus. great-great grandchildren, Kayden Lepka (Lane's son) and Charolette Kainrath (Lauren's daughter). Also surviving Carol is her special niece and her husband, Helen and Dave Hoidal of Buckeye, Arizona.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 2pm at Hillcrest Funeral and Cremation, 9353 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick Washington.

The family invites you to sign her online guestbook.