Kimberly Dawn Griffis Epp was born on November 7, 1981 in Salina, KS, to Dorothy and Bob Griffis of McPherson. Kimberly was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church. She attended the McPherson schools and worked as a Certified Nurse’s Aide during her high school years, starting her love in caring for the elderly. She graduated McPherson High School in 2000. She continued her education at Hutchinson Junior College and completed her Masters in Social Work at Wichita State University, while working at Dillard’s in the shoe department and serving and bartending at Old Chicago.
She continued her social work career as a Licensed MSW at Medicalodges in March 2013. She started at Ascension Via Christi in February 2019, then worked at Phoenix Home Care and Hospice starting in October 2020.
After being together for over 20 years, Kimberly became engaged to the love of her life, Aaron Epp, in Hawaii on February 12, 2023. They were united in marriage on August 31, 2024. It was a beautiful day full of love, family and friends sharing the gifts of two amazing people.
Kimberly was electric. She was a big sister to many and cared about people with a peaceful, beautiful outlook on this world despite adversities. She loved going on adventures with her husband, spending time with her friends and cycling. Kimmy loved her family so much. Every moment together was cherished. She was classy with an amazing sense of humor and sparkling style. Diagnosed with colon cancer in the summer of 2021, she was a warrior, fighting cancer hard for almost four years. She advocated for and comforted her patients in her hospice social work, creating so many miracles for them at their end of life, while fighting her own health battles. She loved life, Aaron, her family, her many friends and her kitties. She stayed positive and she wanted to live. They had plans. Kimberly Dawn was called home to Heaven on June 9, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.
Survivors include her loving husband Aaron Epp; mother Dorothy Griffis; sister Ashley Wheeler, brother-in-law Chase and two beautiful nieces, Fiona and Rozlyn; mother and father-in-law Jan and Dan Epp; sister-in-law Meagan Butler, brother-in-law Andrew and two beautiful nieces Jade and Eliza; grandmother Frances Richard and father Bob Griffis; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by grandparents Eldred and Verena Schaefer; grandfather Dean Richard; and aunt Ruthie Lohmeyer.
Celebration of Life will be Saturday, July 12th, 2025, 4pm at TempleLive, 332 E 1st St N, Wichita, KS 67202, with dinner to follow. Purple attire welcome. Memorial contributions in Kimberly’s honor can be left at the venue in care of Aaron Epp.