{ H E R E she I S }
AN LKN WOMAN WHO PERSONIFIES WHAT MAKES LAKE NORMAN WOMEN SO GREAT
How did it all begin? My husband’s family has been in the funeral business since 1845. When we were married in 1980, I knew that’s what we’d continue doing. In April 2011, we moved to Lake Norman and bought what is now Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home. My role in our business has changed over the years; and our son, Jonathan, has also joined us and is a fifthgeneration funeral director.
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i am an LKN oman because… I’ve been here for six years now, and I can truly say that I feel a sense of community here. It’s important to have a place to call home, and this is where home is for my family and me.
You must experience so much sadness in your workday… how do you focus? We always keep
in mind that we’re here to do our best for each family. Every situation is different, but the one thing that remains constant is we want to create a meaningful experience for each family. When I’m away from work, I think it’s important to relax and enjoy life.
What else are you passionate about? I cherish
family and friends time. We all have busy lives, but we make time for each other. I love to try new recipes for our “Sunday Night Dinners.” When I travel, it’s to someplace warm where I can bury my toes in the sand. I’m trying to garden, but I haven’t found my green thumb yet. But it sure is fun!
What advice would you give a young woman just starting out? Remember that
life is a gift, and treat each day that way. Surround yourself with people who love you, who want to see you do well and want to enjoy life with you. Be thankful for your many blessings, and don’t forget to stop and look around. There’s so much beauty around us. Claudia Kepner is the executive director of operations at RaymerKepner Funeral Home in Huntersville. For more information, visit www.raymerfh.com, or call 704.892.9669.
claudia KEPNER H O M E TO W N : P I T T S B U R G H , PA L K N TO W N : C O R N E L I U S HOUSEHOLD: HUSBAND JOHN & G O L D E N D O O D L E C H I M AY
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18 LKN
| JANUARY 2017
BY: MICHELLE LOVE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY: LISA CRATES PHOTOGRAPHY