Iola Kay Stovern, 77

Iola “Kay” Stovern, 77, of Kingston, Idaho, passed away April 1, 2024, at Kootenai Health Center of Coeur d‘Alene. She was born March 13, 1947, in Sandpoint, Idaho. Kay was the daughter of Jesse and Hazel (Gapen) Gilbert.

Kay attended and graduated High School in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Shortly after that, she met and married the love of her life, BJ Stovern, on June 4, 1966. Together, they raised five boys.

In 1980, Kay took over as den mother to a troupe of cub scouts that consisted of a single scout, her eldest son Brian. By the end of the first day, through numerous phone calls to Brian’s friends, the troupe grew to eight-plus members. It remained in this healthy state through her 20+ years as a den mother, spanning the time all five of her sons spent within the scouting program. She was immensely proud of all the boys she taught and the men they became.

Kay was known as a night owl, presenting quite a contrast to her early-rising husband. More than once, they crossed over in the early hours when she had not gone to bed and he was waking up. During these late-night hours, she primarily quilted. Developing an incredible skill that won her numerous awards at the state fair. Over the years, she has presented quilts to all of her children commemorating their weddings and all of her grandchildren at their births, and she has done her best to keep up with nieces and nephews as well. A great tragedy of her untimely passing is the loss of the opportunity to make a quilt for her soon-to-be-born grandchild and first great-grandchild.

Kay loved traveling both domestically and abroad. Over the years, Kay, BJ, and their family have spent time in numerous countries, including Spain, Norway, China, Germany, the Czech Republic, Panama, Costa Rica, Canada, Mexico, and numerous Caribbean islands. Domestic travels included Alaska, Florida, all over the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. After BJ’s passing, Kay did not slow down and could travel to see her three remaining siblings in New Jersey, Louisiana and Rexburg, Idaho, before their passing. Her final trip was a solo trip to see Denali National Park in Alaska.

Kay is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, BJ Stovern. She is survived by her five sons, Brian (Shari) Stovern, Aaron (Katy) Stovern, Chris (Aubrey) Stovern, Danny (Andrea) Stovern and James (Jen) Stovern; 12 grandchildren, Eli, Ryan, Sylvia, Cameron, Parker, Lillian, Lucas, Chloe, Justin, Sebastian, Skyler and Tyrion; her brother-in-law, Bob (Dana) Stovern, her numerous nieces and nephews, including Mike (Debi) Stovern, Scott (Jen) Stovern, Craig (Tina) Stovern, Len (Laura) Dickerson, Sandie (David) Houston, Pennie (Brett) Palmer, Clareen (David) Korth, Janet (Tom) Ho and Eugenia McCord. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, all of her brothers and sisters and her granddaughters, Alicia and Annabel.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of Pinehurst, with Bishop Lakko officiating. Following the service, burial will take place at Shoshone Memorial Gardens of Kingston.

Memories of Kay and messages of condolence may be shared with her family online at www.shoshonefuneralservices.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is assisting the Stovern family with arrangements.