Mrs. Karen Gilhousen, long-time YTI board member and friend of the institute, passed away on December 22, 2024. In this issue of Inscribed, we remember Karen’s life and legacy.
Karen Mai Coulter was born on July 11, 1948 and promoted to Heaven on December 22, 2024. She was born in Lansing, Michigan to Max and Francis Coulter. After having another son and daughter, her parents were divorced, and her mother married Clifford Maxwell and had 3 more sons. In 1964, her mother divorced Clifford and relocated to California to remarry Max, her first husband.
Karen married Klein Gilhousen in April of 1967. Prior to their first child being born, they moved to San Diego, California and then relocated to Bozeman in 1991.
Karen and Klein were known in Bozeman for their community involvement and philanthropy. They organized the Gilhousen Family Foundation, which supports organizations including the Yellowstone Theological Institute, Museum of the Rockies, Thrive, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Opera Montana, the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra, Montana State University, Inspire International, and many others.
Karen was the owner of Copper Spring Ranch. The Ranch was first established in Bozeman and later moved to New Mexico. In Bozeman, she was the co-founder of Providence Mental Health, an organization supporting families and individuals in Southwestern Montana.
Karen loved spending time in each of her 3 homes. In Bozeman, she shared her time with her family, friends, and community. In Arkansas, she lived next door to her best friend Sharon. And in New Mexico, she spent time with her horses. Karen also enjoyed a variety of hobbies such as playing the piano, quilting, sewing, singing in the choir, reading, and playing Sudoku. She also loved to travel; two of her favorite places were Africa and Israel. She attended the Holy Spirit Renewal Ministries conference each year.
Karen Gilhousen was preceded in death by her husband, Klein Gilhousen; her parents, Max Coulter and Francis Davis; her sister, Cathy Davis; her brothers, Clifford Maxwell, Freddy Maxwell, and Terry Coulter; her daughter, April Gilhousen; and grandson, Bryan Gilhousen. She is survived by her brother, Kevin Maxwell (Lorrie); children, Philip Gilhousen (Charlotte), Aspen Cok (Robert), and Derek Gilhousen; granddaughter, Laura Gilhousen; and great-grandchildren, Jonah Tone, Carly Cok, Deanna Quinn, and Levi Cok.