Gayle Gene Hepp

Gayle Gene Hepp, 79, of Longmont, Colorado, passed away on December 31, 2024, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Gayle was born on September 11, 1945, in Erie, Colorado, to Edmund and Josephine (Stanish) Mosnik. Growing up, she enjoyed spending time with her family going fishing in Wyoming and the lively gatherings at home with her parents filled with polka music and fun.

After graduating from Erie High School, Gayle pursued her passion for hairstyling and attended beauty school in Denver. It was during this time that she met Jim Hepp, who gave her rides to school. Their connection quickly blossomed, leading to their marriage on June 26, 1965. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised two children, Laura and Brian.

Gayle was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker, always tending to her family's needs with love and care. Summers were often spent on cherished fishing trips to Wyoming, creating lasting memories. Later in life, Gayle and Jim enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, where she delighted in playing the slot machines with her mom. Gayle loved her grandchildren, retail therapy and watching crime shows. Gayle and Jim built their dream home in Hygiene, Colorado. Without Gayle’s loving support, Jim would never have pursued his entrepreneurial successes.

In 2021, Gayle was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. On July 13, 2021, she underwent surgery to remove her pancreas and spleen. Despite enduring the challenges of chemotherapy and its toll on her health, Gayle defied the odds, displayed remarkable resilience and determination, fought faithfully and bravely for three and a half years, and inspired many. She relied on her Catholic faith, prayer, and the support of her loving family and others.

Gayle is survived by her brother, Richard Mosnik of Longmont; her daughter, Laura (Steve) Schechter of Longmont; her son, Brian (Stacy) Hepp of Loveland, and four beloved grandchildren; Jenna (Garrett) McEnaney of Berthoud, Alex Hepp of New York, Sarah Schechter of Longmont, and Ryan Schechter of Longmont.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James Anthony Hepp, and her parents, Edmund and Josephine Mosnik, in-laws Anthony and Josephine Hepp, brother/sister-in-law’s Leroy Hoffman, Larry Luellig, Dean Zaffree, Sharon Hepp, Cindy Hepp, Gary Hepp, and Carol Hepp, and many other family and friends.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 3791 Pike Rd, Longmont, CO 80503. The schedule includes a viewing at 9:30 a.m., the Holy Rosary at 10:00 a.m., Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., graveside service immediately after mass at Foothills Gardens of Memory, 14241 N. 107th Street, Longmont, CO 80504 and a reception at the church at 1:00 p.m.

The Funeral Mass will also be live-streamed at https://youtube.com/live/wuhnrhpLsGw?feature=share, allowing loved ones near and far to join in honoring Gayle’s beautiful life. In Lieu of flowers please donate to St. Francis of Assisi, Longmont or to https://www.priestsforlife.org in Gayle’s name.