Cristy Leigh Ksepka

Cristy Leigh Ksepka

1977-2021

On Monday, January 11th, 2021, Cristy Ksepka (nee Smith), wife, daughter and sister, passed away suddenly at the age of 43 years.  Cristy will be forever remembered by her husband and best friend Chris, by her parents Jim and DaVonna Smith, by her sisters and brothers Amber (Lance) Cargill, Annie (Nathan) Roberts, and Michael Stewart.  Cristy will also forever be remembered by her nephews Jackson and Henry and by numerous extended family and friends, including her brother and sister-in-law Victor and Brenda Grandi.  She was preceded in death by grandparents Dale and Dorothy Jones, Claudius Sears, Bernard Estevan, and her father and mother-in law Joseph and Rita Ksepka.

A public viewing with family greeting friends will be held at Matthews Funeral Home located:  601 S. Kelly Ave, 4PM-6PM Sunday, January 17th.  A private graveside service will be held in Resurrection Memorial Cemetery:  7500 W. Britton Rd, 11AM Monday January 18th.

Cristy was born in Marshfield Wisconsin on one of the coldest days of the year.  After moving to Pine Bluff Arkansas and Klamath Falls Oregon, she wound up back in her family’s hometown of Broken Bow Oklahoma.  As a champion of both Show Choir and Quiz Bowl, in high school Cristy travelled, competed and won many competitions.  These achievements were not un-noticed by the local USAF recruiting officer.   Cristy set off to initially study chemical engineering at OSU but, found her true calling in public service.  She has worked, from multiple facets, in that capacity to this day.   It would be remiss to leave out her award-winning bartending at the Skirvin’s Red Piano.

Her First Year Airmen Orientation Program helped countless people new to Tinker AFB learn the beauty and opportunities of OKC.  Her Certified Tourism Ambassador Program equipped many hospitality and tourism professionals to do the same.  Her Professional Realtor Certification Program helped train and license realtors across the state.

 

Cristy truly is a part of the city that she loved and will forever be missed.

 

20 thoughts on “Cristy Leigh Ksepka”

  1. Lindsay Vidrine

    Cristy brought a spark and positive energy to the Visit OKC team. I enjoyed working alongside her to promote our great city and am so happy our paths crossed. She always knew a way to make me laugh and I will remember the joy and fun she brought to my life. Sending prayers of comfort to Chris and all her family and friends.

  2. Cristy was an absolute firecracker, bubbly and spirited, who always had a smile on her face along with a funny quip or laugh to go with it. She was a close office mate to me at the CVB and I always enjoyed our conversations. She really brought our CTA program to life and was a ready resource for “a lot” of information. I know she touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed. My prayers and hugs go out to her family and close friends.

  3. Kelly Haikin Hadsall

    She was a great neighbor while I lived downtown. Cristy had a spark and was instantly in on new projects and neighborhood gatherings. She will be long remembered and deeply missed!

  4. I was just thinking back to my first conversation with Cristy’s husband Chris right after they got married. He was just so happy and you could see it in his eyes and smile how much he loved her. In the Oklahoma City Chamber breakroom and also in the elevator, I would often ask Cristy – “How’s married life?” and she would just give me the biggest grin.
    That was probably the main reason I asked her that question so often. Cristy and Chris were a real blessing to each other.

  5. Ashley Fields

    This is a true loss to our city. I truly have missed and will miss our conversations during our CTA events. She was one of my favorite people at the CVB. She made me feel welcomed at every event and I will miss our conversations about Southeast Oklahoma. Many prayers for her family during this time.

  6. Adam and Sarah Edwards

    My wife and I are saddened by this news. Cristy was such a great Ambassador for our CVB/CTA community. She was the reason we initially became CTAs and we will forever be grateful and remember her infectious smile and Posi-tude!

    Blessings to her family during such a difficult time🙏🏽

  7. Jacqueline Bass

    Met Christy at a CTA event In front of the Col Cord Hotel. I was very cold and she gave me her gloves. Her smile her knowledge of great places to eat and her friendly ness will forever be missed.
    Always enjoyed working with her at the Cox center.

    Jacqueline Bass

    1. Morgan Miller

      Christy was such an asset for our city and our Cvb team. She loved Oklahoma City and I loved talking with her about new restaurant and bar openings- we talked wine a lot ♥️ She loved people and people loved her. She did so many great things for our city and she will be missed greatly. Prayers to her husband and family I know they will miss her dearly.

  8. Judith Hilbun

    I am so sorry to hear of Cristy’s passing. She was always so pleasant everytime I saw her. She was such an encouraging and inspirational help to me as a Certified Tourism Ambassador and had such a zest and love for OKC. I’ll be praying for her husband snd rest of her family and friends. So sorry.

  9. Marylou gwozdek

    My condolences to her husband chris and family. She was a beacon of light to all who met her and was the reason I became a CTA. Her love of Okc and positive spirit will never be forgotten! May the family heal and have peace for she touched many lives and was a blessing for us all!

  10. Cristy never met a stranger and her smile lit the room and the hearts of everyone nearby. I am a better person having known her. Please accept my condolences as I know she will be missed.

  11. Mike Whitaker

    People like Cristy are the reason visitors are pleasantly surprised when in Oklahoma. I am so glad I met Cristy. Prayers and best wishes to her family.

  12. Michael Carrier

    Cristy was a true professional in everything she did. When we had the opportunity to hire her as Visitor Services Manager for the Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau she was the perfect choice. She came to work every day smiling and looking at how she could make the CVB and Oklahoma City better. Every assignment and request was met cheerfully, thoroughly and with a “will do” attitude. She always asked the right questions and regularly came to her supervisors with ideas and suggestions that made sense and made the entire OKC tourism industry better. She “owned” the CTA program and treated it like it and the participants deserved to be treated. She made our entire organization and industry better. On that horrible day in May when I had to call Cristy and 1/3 of our team to tell them they no longer had a job because of Covid, Cristy exhibited the same attitude and asked what she could do to help. She remained a close friend and supporter of her industry and personal friends.
    The shock and sadness of her all too early passing, along with many very fond memories, will stay with those of us who worked with her for many years to come.
    Chris, we love you and continue to cherish the memories of your dear wife. Our prayers and support will remain with you. Stay strong and reach out. You have a large “Cristy” family.

  13. Christy was one special little girl. One of my three “Little Women”.
    As I read the comments, from her friends, I could see the transition of the girl that I knew into the awesome, hardworking woman that they knew. My prayers are with each one of her family members. I was the Smith girls school bus driver for many years. My heart is deeply saddened. Love to each of you,
    Mary Hill

  14. Nita Dillard

    Words cannot express how my heart hurts for Christy’s husband, Chris, and the rest of the family. Though we lived miles apart and I hadn’t seen her for several years, I’ll always remember three little sweethearts that brought so much joy to their parents and granny. Christy’s personality was always overflowing. I’m delighted I got to spend her senior year of high school with her. Her granny and my mom are sisters, so I had the great pleasure of watching and interacting with not only Christy, but also her sisters, Amber and Annie as they grew up. I’ll always remember that dark curly hair and huge smile. Christy may not be with us now but her memories will never be forgotten.
    Love you, family
    Nita Dillard

  15. Charlotte Chandler

    There just aren’t words to express, knowing Cristy is no longer here on earth. Cristy trained me at the Cox Visitors Center. She made sure to ride the OKC Street Car the day I rode, giving me a personal guided tour as only Cristy could do! Cristy knew this City like no one else, she knew each and every detail. Her knowledge was beyond impressive. Cristy would occasionally come over on my Thursday, to check in with me & address work. We would discussed family, she was so proud of her parents, she loved her siblings. We talked about education, music, life and the vacations she and Chris took. But mostly it was her Love being married to Chris, they were a team and outside their individual careers. They spent Life doing it together. We talked about how they wanted to buy a home. (And that dreamed was fulfilled during the pandemic). The Cristy I got to know was full of life and she made the moments count. The pandemic shut the Cox Booth, & we saw Cristy once after. Prayers for her Family and Chris, whom she loved very much.

  16. Ashley Armstrong

    I worked with Cristy at the CVB for several years. She was always willing to work and help out anywhere she could. I know she was already missed at the CVB for her amazing work with the CTA program. This is a great loss to the industry and I know to her family. She will be missed greatly.

  17. Sue Hollenbeck

    Cristy was a fun-loving and passionate person. I enjoyed working with her at the OKCCVB very much. She was always available to lend a hand and always, always had a smile on her face. Chris, I hope you and her entire family know that she touched so many people and left a beautiful impression on them. She will be missed. God Bless Cristy and her entire family.

  18. Terry Lanham

    So very sad to hear this news. Many people loved and were inspired by Cristy. She had that special touch that made everyone feel important. My heartfelt condolences go out to her husband and family. I will miss her along with many others. She had the gift of bringing people together to learn and have fun. I am a blessed person for knowing her and working with her at Visit Edmond.

  19. Seth Spillman

    Working with Cristy at the OKC CVB was such a pleasure. She always had a smile and was always striving to make whatever she put her hands to better. The love she and Chris shared was obvious. Praying for comfort and peace for Chris and the rest of the family.

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