Memorial services for Kathie Jo "K.J." Coryell, age 53, of Rapid City, SD will be held at 4:00 p.m. MT on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at the Centennial Chapel of the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Hettinger, ND. Pastor Judy Banwart will officiate with burial in the Hettinger Cemetery.


Kathie Jo Coryell was born on September 13, 1958 in Hettinger, ND. She was a lifelong musician who was passionate about music, art, and literature. Her hobbies included spending time with her family and friends, riding motorcycles and singing.


She was an animal lover who spent her life caring for and healing sick animals. K.J. was a deeply spiritual woman whose love for life shined through in everything she did.

K.J. passed away on Friday, March 23, 2012 at her home in Rapid City, ND.


Grateful for having shared in her life are her daughter, Summer Coryell, Nashville, TN; mother, Marlys Coryell, Asheville, NC; brother and sister-in-law, Steven and Clara Coryell, Asheville, NC; nephew, Nicholas Coryell, Asheville, NC; aunt, Betty Moore, Rapid City, SD; uncle, Ed and Faye Hasche, Bismarck, ND; step-brother, Pete Coryell, San Francisco, CA; step-sister, Jacki Coryell, San Francisco, CA; and numerous cousins.


K.J. was preceded in death by her birth father, Leroy Melcher of Fort Morgan, CO; adopted father, Warren Coryell of Asheville, NC; grandparents, Hugh and Louise Hasche of Hettinger, ND and Jacob and Molly Melcher of Fort Morgan, CO.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Ehlers-Danlos National Foundation.