Kristene Draper
March 27, 1967 - September 11, 2021
Kristene Anne Draper was born in Medford, OR, to Sherry and Jerry OConnor. She was the elder sister to Mary OConnor.
Kris’s family frequently moved due to her father’s occupation, living in Indio, CA, and then Oklahoma City, OK, before arriving in Fallon, NV. Through her youth, she was extraordinarily compassionate and kind-hearted with a larger-than-life personality. Kris’s inner beauty was reflected through her charismatic disposition and smiling face and left a lasting impression on the lives of everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Kris met Dion Draper in homeroom at junior high in 1981. Inseparable through high school and college, young love gave way to a deep, soulful dedication and the two married in 1988. Having always dreamt of raising a family, their firstborn son, Blair Draper, was born in 1990. 1994 brought their second son, Connor Draper, and the winter of 1996 brought their third boy, Mason Draper. Deeply longing for a daughter, Kris and Dion set out for a new parenting adventure - foreign adoption. In 1999 they traveled to China to bring home the newest member of their family, Anne-Korin Draper. Feeling that their family was still missing someone, Kris and Dion embarked back to China in 2003 to adopt another baby girl, Meg Draper. Kris was a profoundly dedicated wife and mother who created an environment of unconditional love and support and made many a house into a home.
Kris’s life was nothing short of extraordinary. Her sense of adventure led her to 21 states and 17 countries, immersing herself in the culture and people of each place and leaving a mark on everyone she met through her compassionate heart, empathetic ear, and sincere interest in others. Never hesitant to shoulder more of a burden, Kris gladly helped anyone.
The world lost a truly beautiful soul. Grace-giving, thoughtful and courageous, Kris was the definition of what a wife, mother, grandmother, and daughter of God should be. She made every holiday and event unforgettable through her creativity, eye for the most important details, and care for the joy of others.
Kris was a ray of light that, even after her passing, still shines brightly. She will be remembered by everyone who was touched by her light and missed deeply by her husband and best friend of 33 years, five children, and three grandchildren.
A service will be held on October 1, 2021 at Mountain View Mortuary, 425 Stoker Ave., Reno, NV at 11:00 AM with an interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery.