Karen Dringle

Karen Warburton Dringle passed away Sunday, February 16, 2025 in Ennis, MT. She was 86.

Karen was born December 28, 1938 to Karl and Hazel Warburton in SLC, Utah. The family bought a ranch and moved to Cameron, MT in 1948. Karen graduated from Ennis High in 1957 and went to business college in Missoula.

After graduating, she married her high school sweetheart, Bill in 1958 and ranched on Cherry Creek where they had their first two children, Sherri and Brenda. In 1965 they sold the ranch and bought one in Belgrade, where Mark and Melanie were born. The business bug bit and they sold the ranch and moved back to Ennis and bought the Rainbow Valley Motel, eventually selling that, and building Fan Mountain Inn.

In 2001, after running the motel and traveling for several years with Bill for 3Rivers Telephone, they sold the motel and retired to their home on the golf course. Karen was a busy lady with their businesses and 4 children, but still had time for Cowbelles, MadGals, Bowling, and being a Cupboard of Champions Winner in candies and baked goods at the Winter Fair in Bozeman.

Karen was proceeded in death by her husband of 60 plus years, Bill, her parents, brothers, Gene, Gary, Farrel, Brent, and sister Marilyn. She is survived by her sister Ellie Cobb of Texas and sister in law Esther Warburton. She is also survived by daughter Sherri (Joel) Shows, daughter Brenda (Bruce) Howard, son Mark (Tami) Dringle, daughter Melanie (Duncan) Hedges, 10 grandchildren and spouses, and 9 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday April 19, 2025 at the Madison Valley Presbyterian Church in Ennis at 1:00.