Karla Ann Vail

Karla Ann Vail died on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at home surrounded by family. She was 79 years old.

Karla and her identical twin sister Karen were born to Elma and William Kindsvater in Kellogg, Idaho on September 11, 1945. She was raised in north Idaho in the mining town of Page and went to school in Kellogg where she graduated high school in 1963 as co-valedictorian along with her sister Karen. She attended the University of Idaho on an academic scholarship, where she met her husband, David Bruce Vail. They were married in Pinehurst on September 5, 1964, and raised their six children in Boise, Rupert, and Meridian, Idaho. David and Karla recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their cherished family at home.

Karla was well-known for her cooking and baking skills, especially bread and desserts. Her family loved her dinner rolls and she spoiled her friends and neighbors with cookies, fudge and other delicious treats every Christmas. Her baked beans were legendary and often requested for potlucks, as well as her coveted layered rainbow jello that always elicited cheers from the grandchildren. Karla was a thrifty shopper and often perused the bargain bin at Fred Meyer. She kept a clean home, relished quiet moments, and loved visiting with family and dear friends. Karla took pride in being a homemaker in every way.

Karla enjoyed Sudoku, mystery novels, and the TV show “Judge Judy.” She was a card shark and kept a keen eye on plays. Once you took your finger off your card in the discard pile, there was no going back - Karla made sure of that. She kept tally of all of her two-handed pinochle games with Dave. She was Boise State football’s biggest cheerleader, as well as an ever-present spectator at her kids’ and grandkids’ activities.

She deeply loved her husband and children; they were always first in her life. She took great pride in her role as wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She sent birthday cards to everyone in the family. 

You could count on Karla to be unflinchingly honest and to stand for what she felt was right. She felt the greatest sense of freedom while riding her bike and finally wore it out at 15,000 miles. Her tenacity helped her overcome many medical issues in the latter part of her life. In the end, she died peacefully and on her own terms.

She is survived by her husband David and their six children: John (Arnell) Vail of Boise, Idaho, Valerie (Tim) Adams of Bakersfield, California, Billy (James) Hamilton-Vail of Boise, Idaho, Julie (Shane) Combe of Nampa, Idaho, and twin daughters Teresa Vail of Boise, Idaho, and Vicky Vail of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her twin sister Karen, brothers Billy, Bob, and Kenny, and nephews Brandon Fisher and Kent Kindsvater.

At her request there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local library. Karla was an avid reader and borrowed thousands of books from the library throughout the years.