Pamela Krell

PAM KRELL Click here to view Pam's Video Tribute IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Pamela Kaye Krell, 51, of Idaho Falls, passed away August 8, 2009, at her home, of complications of Type I Diabetes. Pam was born March 3, 1958, in Havre, Montana, to Jack Wilson and Fern Akre Wilson. She grew up in rural Montana, which forged her beliefs in family, God's beauty in the outdoors, and the value of a simple reflective life. She was the class beauty in high school, a cheerleader and Student Council President. She attended nursing school at Northern Montana University, during which time she developed Type I Diabetes, was told she could never be a nurse, and like so many other things she was told she couldn't do, proved everyone wrong. Pam was an extraordinary bedside nurse and her wit, sensitivity, and charm endeared her to her patients. In 1977 she married Cal Warrington, during which time she nursed in Montana and Arizona. They divorced and she then nursed in Deer Lodge, which she still loves and is loved by the community. She then expanded to traveling nursing and finally to Idaho Falls, where she worked on the Fifth Floor at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, always proud and dedicated to bedside nursing. It was there she met "Krell" (Kenneth Krell, M.D.), a rather angry, self-absorbed physician whose anger and disgust with life had been heightened by just ending a bad relationship. Pam's enthusiasm for life, charming small town naivete, and ability to reach in and grab one's inner core turned Krell's life around. They were married June 10, 1995, and both their lives changed dramatically. Pam became mentor, mother and confidant to Amanda, Krell's daughter and for the next 10 years Pam nurtured Amanda through school, college and into marriage. Pam survived Matthew, Krell's son, who despite his rebelliousness, was softened by her gentle persistence. And then, since July, 1998, she raised Elizabeth, their granddaughter, from the day she was born. Elizabeth's vibrant connectedness, love of everything alive, and gutsy determination and sensitivity will always serve to remind us that Pam still lives through her. Pam influenced everyone she met. She was one of those rare people who made everyone who met her feel genuine kindness and warmth. (Thanks, Allison, for that description.) Pam fought a long hard battle with the complications of diabetes and never let that fight turn into self pity or defeat. She did everything and taught all of us 'if she could, then so could we.' She taught us that life is in the details, and if you don't know how much time you have on this earth, then you'd better make the most of every minute. Pam is survived by her husband, Ken Krell M.D.; her loving parents, Fern and Jack Wilson of Sun River, Montana; two brothers, Chuck of Great Falls, MT, and his children; and Steve of Vaughn, MT; and by Ken’s children whom she influenced so much, Amanda (Tom) Kostelecky of Boise, ID and Matthew (Angela Franklin) Krell of KY, and their two beautiful children, Luna and Liam. She will live forever through her granddaughter, Elizabeth. Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, August 15, 2009, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road. The family will meet with friends Saturday beginning at 1:00 p.m., then asks everyone to join them in a celebration of Pam's life at the farm she so dearly loved. Dress casually, bring kids and bathing suits – it's what Pam would want. We'll reflect on her life, and as Elizabeth said that last night before Pam died peacefully at home, "Tell her we love her, and she taught us so much." In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Richard McCallum's research at University of Kansas (c/o Robert Boegel, 3901 Rainbow Road, Kansas City, KS 66160), whose work on diabetic gastro paresis gave us five years with Pam we couldn't have had otherwise. ---------------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Jami Harding RT My heart goes out to your family at this time of sadness. Pam is a sweet and loving person. Hold tight to her memory and all the joy and laughter she brought to your lives. Shirley Woodruff shirley@yostonline.com Even though I didn't meet Pam, I want to extend my heartfelt sorrow at her passing. May her life with Kenneth always help him to be the wonderful Doctor that he is. Sincerely, Shirley Woodruff (one of Dr. Krell's first patients in Idaho Falls) Wendy Swope wswope_2000@yahoo.com I am so sorry for your loss, my prayers are with you. Andy & Jeannie Fetters jaf73@q.com We share in your loss. We will miss her too. Her fight has been a long one. Thank you,Ken, for all you did for her happiness and her health. She was so proud of her Elizabeth. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love, Andy & Jeannie Patti Campbell pecampbell@cableone.net What a wonderful inspiration her zest for life was! It was an honor to have known her. May the family find peace in all of the sweet memories they have! She lives in a better place with a spirit free from disease. You will see her again someday! Kris Seamons I'm sorry for your loss. My simpathy and thoughts are with you, Kris Seamons Sheila Harvey samleahsmom@yahoo.com Pam touched so many lives, she will be remembered with love and many happy memories, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Sandra Klepzig McNeese Pam was an amazing, caring human being, a wonderful daughter, awesome cousin, and I know, a thoughtful and loving mother. Her loss leaves a huge void in many people's lives. We lost a wise and loving soul. My heart goes out to her husband and granddaughter Elizabeth and her wonderful mom and dad and brothers. Just know that you have our love. Diane McLaughlin montmac@bresnan.net My thoughts and prayers are with you, Ken and Elizabeth. Cherish the memories forever and remember how much she LOVED and CARED for you. A piece of my heart is with Pam, who I cherished and love my whole entire life. Joleen Hutchison whiskeyangel1@msn.com Dr. Krell and family, I’m so sorry to hear about Pam. She was a very kind and loving person, she also had a lot of influence on me. Also, she taught me a lot. I will always love her as a person and an old coworker. I will never forget how she inspired me. Thanks, Pam for all you did for me. Terry and Kris Cochran kcochran@cableone.net Ken, we are so sorry for the loss of your lovely wife Pam. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You have always been one of our favorite people, and if there is anything you need, please call. Daron Scherr DaronScherr@Hotmail.com I'm so sorry for your loss. I have a lot of wonderful, loving, happy memories of Pam; I miss her a lot. She is an extraordinary person and her generous spirit will live on in all of the people she touched. I feel blessed to have known her. Cindy (Hewitt) Erickson mlericfam1@bresnan.net I send my deepest sympathies to Pam's family, especially to Fern and Jack whose family was a part of my childhood memories. Pam and I were "best" childhood friends in Harlem and I will never forget when she moved away from me in grade school. We kept in touch throughout our college years and then lost touch as our lives got busier. I thought of her often and still remember how much fun we always had together. She was a great friend and I will always keep her in my heart. Sandi Birch So sorry to hear of your loss. Anyone who has seen Dr. Krell change from his 'gruff act' to a 'marshmallow' when Pam calls knows of his devotion and love for his sweet wife. Leslie Rackham So sorry to hear of your loss. I did not personally know Pam but was able to bask in her warmth whenever she came to the office when I worked for Krell. She will live forever in your thoughts and prayers. Brandee Simpson bsimp22@yahoo.com Like Pam, my dear mother, Carol Jenson-Scott, passed away on August 8th at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. She had been there for four months prior to passing and had spent three of those months as a patient of Dr. Kenneth Krell. My heart was breaking for you, Dr. Krell, and your family during this difficult time. May God bless you and your family at this time with peace and comfort. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Always, Brandee Simpson Ken and Natalie Felt Our deepest sympathy is with you at this time and hope for you that all will be well with all of your family. We will keep you in our prayers. Ken and Nat Suzanne Walsh suzannewalsh96@msn.com I am so sorry for your loss. Pam was such a loving and wonderful person. when we last talked she told me how busy you all had been - Elizabeth with the horses, and the family travel to the coast. She loved you very much! Krell, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Kristy & Heather (HIM @ EIRMC) Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you. Let us know if we can do anything. Lynn Ellwein [lellwein@cableone.net] As you mourn the loss of Pam and celebrate her life, know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Gary and Lynn Ellwein Jerry and Sharon Fetters We are so sorry for your loss. Pam was such a caring person. We are thinking of you all, and wish you comfort and peace. May your memories of the wonderful times comfort you and your families, today and always. Tarah Romanski tromanski@sbcglobal.net I am so sorry for your loss. Pam was an amazing woman. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Linda (Lin) Borresen cockermom@cableone.net Dr. Krell, We have never formally met, but I was so saddened by the news of Pam's death I felt compelled to write. I met Pam through my employment at Countryside Veterinary Hospital. At the time Pam was a traveling nurse and had made arrangements to board her beloved black cat. I immediately liked Pam. She was such a gentle soul and she loved that cat with her very being. I continued seeing Pam as she acquired the labs and just as she had loved that kitty, she was equally in love with those dogs. After I left Countryside, I often saw Pam about town as well as at the clinic. She was always so warm and friendly. We would laugh and always enjoy our visits. Pam never complained about anything. She only spoke of how lucky she was because of you and, of course, Elizabeth. I am truly going to miss Pam as I know you and all of your family will. How lucky you were to find her and be the benefactor of all she brought to your life. I consider myself one of the lucky ones as well. Who would have ever guessed that the shy soft spoken woman that came to Countryside that day looking for a safe place to leave her kitty would be one of those special individuals that leaves their mark forever in a life. My thoughts are with you. Linda (Lin) Borresen Clint Hinckley hinckley2455@msn.com I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I know personally what a change she made in your life and attitude, Dr. Krell. Know that you and your family are in my prayers and thoughts. Larry & Susan Hansen happyhelper@cableone.net As my doctor, you helped me through many things in the past. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. Our prayers are with you and your family! Larry & Susan Hansen Margo Saunders saunder@pmt.org I was hoping to be there, and I just cannot. Steve Schaal (R.T.) wanted you to know that he is thinking of you, and is sad for your loss (as am I!). He works here in Rupert with me, now, and he has always remembered (to me) how good it was when Pam joined your life. Jed and Krischell Hanks I stand in amazement of the generosity and compassion shown by the Krell family to every person who enters their life. With sincerest sympathy, Jed and Krischell Hanks Karen Davenport landk@cableone.net Dr. Krell, When I saw you at the office on Tuesday, I had no idea your sweet wife had passed away. I am so sorry. I miss you as my doctor but know you are doing a great service in the ICU. May God bless you and Elizabeth. Sincerely, Karen Davenport Lauri & Mike (cheeze) Kyle laurijk@hotmail.com Ken, we are very sorry to hear about the loss of your wife. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You have done so much for our family and friends, please let us know if there is anything, we can do for you in your time of need. Your Friends Always, Mike (Cheeze) & Lauri Kyle Virginia Willard virginiaw@cableone.net Dear Ken, I've been out of town and just read about Pam when I returned. Please accept my sincere sympathy at the loss of your wife; this lovely, charming, and generous lady. I remember well the happy day when Miles and I came to your wedding. I know your time together was brief, but very happy. I have to leave again tomorrow, but I would certainly be at the service if I were in town. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Virginia Willard Theresa (Nash) McCune dtmccune@bridgemail.com Fern, Jack, Chuck, Steve & Families -- So sorry to hear of Pam's passing. She was always so kind to me when I was a kid and always such a beautiful girl/woman. Reflect back on all of the wonderful memories you hold dear. Take care and God Bless. Denise Landis landdl@ida.net Pam was an inspiration to me. Her love of life and desire to go and do with out hesitation, even when her body tried to hold her back, was amazing. She was so caring and genuine, always asking what was going on in your life and remembering even the smallest details. She made you feel special. I am so blessed to have known her. I will miss her greatly and can only imagine how much you all will miss her. I will think of her often and pray all of your wonderful memories of Pam will keep her close to your heart always. My prayers are with you and may we rejoice knowing that we will see her again! (She is probably getting things "organized" as we speak.) God Bless Her! Tadd Jenkins taddj@bishs.com Wow, this was a total shock. Pam was one of our favorite people; we loved her and Ken with all our hearts. The world will be different without the sweet smile of our beautiful Pam. Our hearts and prayers go out to you at this difficult time. mmm3m59@hotmail.com Dear Dr. Krell, Matt, Amanda and Elizabeth, I am very sorry for your loss. Pam was a lovely woman, and I remember her as a gracious hostess in Big Sky. She was warm and welcoming, even when surrounded by a number of tired, hungry and sometimes rowdy kids and teenagers. Pam always made me feel welcomed. Again, I am sorry for your loss, and your family is in my prayers. Sincerely, Mollie Madden Snyder Ray and Linda Proctor jitrbuglinda@hughes.net We were very sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept our condolences. Patsy Kuiper, RN Words cannot express how sorry I am for your loss of Pam. She was truly a saint. Anyone who could take a chart throwing, nurse bashing. angry Dr. and turn him around 180 to make him the nicest, most caring man ever was truly special. My thoughts are with you and Elizabeth. Patsy (3rd floor) Vicky Jo Elison kvi@ida.net Dr Krell - Ken & Ii feel so bad about your loss. I saw Buckie last nite at the horse races and she told me some about what had happened. I cannot image the courage that it took at the end of Pam's life. Know that you are in our thoughts. please take care of yourself - don't work yourself to death. You have touched so many lives, including mine, many times, so now, more than ever, take care of yourself and your little one. I know that words really can't solve the issues, but they are the best that I can do right now. Thank you for being the good person that you are. Vicky Elison Margaret Leverett lavert50@cableone.net Dear Dr. Krell and family, I have just learned of Pam's death, I am so sorry. I can not imagine how much pain that is causing you and how much you miss her. She was so sweet, caring and kind. I am so glad I had the pleasure of knowing her, even in a small way. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep her memories close and I hope in some small way that may provide some comfort to you in this difficult time. With deepest sympathy, Margaret Leverett