Kristy A. Piper

Kristy Ann Piper, 57, of Pocatello, ID passed away surrounded by loved ones. She was a force of nature: honest to a fault, loyal beyond measure, and absolutely one of a kind.

Born on November 7, 1967, to Allen Collins and Cyrena Egbert, Kristy was raised with a bold spirit and a big heart. If you were in her life — whether you were family, friend, or a spoiled Pomeranian — you knew you were loved… and you also knew she’d tell you exactly what she thought, whether you were ready for it or not.

In 1986, Kristy welcomed her first son, Brandon Renfro. From the moment she became a mom, she knew it was her favorite job. A few years later, Cody Stufflebeam came along and instantly stole her heart too. She made mistakes, like we all do, but her love for her kids never wavered. She never gave up on them — and she always tried to be there, no matter what.

In 2001, she married the love of her life, Steve Piper. Together, they shared adventures, inside jokes, and a healthy amount of playful bickering that kept everyone else entertained. The longer they were together, the stronger their bond grew. They were rarely apart — true teammates in every sense.

Then in 2007, Kristy became a grandma — and declared it even better than being a mom (a title she held proudly and said often, usually with a big smile). Cheyanne was her girl, and Kristy wanted to spend every waking moment with her.

In 2012, when Brandon married his wife Crystal, Kristy gained two more grandchildren — Kyah and Devon. She especially loved going on white water rafting trips and adventures with them — always up for the ride, the laughs, and making memories they’ll never forget. Then in 2018, Cody married his wife Heather, and Kristy was over the moon. She was so excited to have both of her kids married and moving forward in their lives — it made her proud, happy, and just a little bit emotional (though she might not have admitted that part out loud).

Kristy had a special place in her heart for animals, especially her many Pomeranians: Simba, Chuck Bear, Sassy, Roxy, Rusty, and Trixie. These little furballs weren’t just pets — they were her babies too, spoiled and cherished like family.

She was always working on something creative — quilting, selling jeans on eBay, gardening, bag-making, and even building a kite that, well, never quite got off the ground. Her crafting area gradually expanded to take over the basement, and every project she made had her special touch. Even the imperfect ones (especially those) were treasures. Grandma used to tease her about not finishing the edges of her quilts properly — but that just made them more “Kristy,” full of charm and personality.

Her happy place was Bear Lake. She loved the calm, the family time, and inviting everyone to join her there. The memories made in that beautiful spot will be held tightly by those who shared them with her.

When her brother Rick and sister Terri moved to Iowa in 2007, Kristy became the official tech support for her parents. Whether it was fixing the TV or figuring out a new gadget, she got the call. She’d laugh, roll her eyes, and then get it done — all while teasing Terri for buying new electronics and leaving her to sort it out.

Kristy loved her dad deeply and cherished the time they spent together—telling stories, laughing, and reminiscing about old memories. One of her favorite stories to share was when Grandpa marched all the grandkids into the hot tub with their clothes on! Although she probably didn’t think it was funny at the time, it became one of those moments that always made her smile looking back.

Kristy’s mom, Cyrena, and her sister, Terri, were her very best friends. Wherever Kristy went, Steve and Cyrena were never far behind. She was fiercely protective of the people she loved, especially when it came to standing up for her sister. If you messed with Terri, you got Kristy — and you didn’t want that!!

Her nieces adored her. That all looked up to her so much, they started ordering Diet Pepsi with breakfast just because that’s what Aunt Kristy did. And if Kristy did it, it had to be cool.

She also made sure her kids and nieces had the best summers growing up. She’d pick them up and take them to Ross Park just to make sure they weren’t stuck inside. But if it rained? You had to wait until she got off work. That was Kristy — thoughtful, caring, and always real.

Over the years, Kristy was the one who held the family together through heartbreak and loss. She was the glue — the strong one. And now, without her, we feel a little lost. But we also imagine her already up there with Russ and Terri, catching them up on everything we’re doing wrong and laughing about it the whole time.

Kristy was preceded in death by her brother Russ Collins; sister Terri Slaven; nephew Nick Collins; Chaz Buerstatte; grandmother Marge Collins; stepmother Linda Collins; and grandparents Sarah and others not named here but never forgotten.

She leaves behind her loving husband and sidekick, Steve Piper; her mother Cyrena Egbert; her father Allen Collins; her brother Rick (Pam) Collins; sons Brandon (Crystal) Renfro and Cody (Heather) Stufflebeam; grandchildren Cheyanne Renfro, Kyah Renfro, and Devon March; stepsister Laura Buerstatte; stepbrother Chuck (Raeanne) Buerstatte; and many, many nieces, nephews, and extended family who absolutely adored her.

Kristy will be deeply missed — for her laugh, her sass, her fierce love, and the way she made everyone feel like they belonged. Her stories, her voice, and her heart will live on in all of us.

Rest easy, Kristy.
You were truly one of a kind — and we’ll keep your spirit alive in every Diet Pepsi, every Bear Lake trip, and every unfinished quilt we hold dear.

A viewing will be held on Friday, May 23, 2025 from 5-7 pm at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Rd. Chubbuck, Idaho 83202. Services will be on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 11 am also at Wilks Funeral Home with a viewing for one hour prior. Burial will take place at 2:30 pm at Mountain View Cemetery, 1520 S. 5th Ave. Pocatello, ID.

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