Karen Kay Gillespie, 81, of Sterling, went home to be with her Lord on April 21, 2022, at The Arbors at Waldron Place, Hutchinson, surrounded by her loving family. She was born July 25, 1940, in Lyons, Kansas, the daughter of Wilson “Bud” and Mary Ann Nienke Wynn. Karen has resided in Sterling since 1973, formerly of Chase and Lyons.

She graduated from Lyons High School with the class of 1958. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church of Hutchinson and a longtime member of the Sterling Bowling League.

On June 21, 1958, Karen was united in marriage with John C. Gillespie in Lyons. He preceded her in death on December 3, 1979. After John’s death, Karen became president and bookkeeper for G & L Well Service in Sterling for the next 32 years.

Karen is survived by her four sons, John Gillespie and wife Mary of Sterling, Dan Gillespie and wife Lori of Sterling, Mark Gillespie and wife Bonnie of Sterling, and Chris Gillespie and wife Emily of Alden; brother, Ken Wynn and wife Bev of Wichita, KS; sister, Julie Magyar and husband Mike of Hutchinson, KS; thirteen grandchildren; and twenty-two great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; infant son, David; and an infant daughter, Mary.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling. Burial will follow at the Lyons Municipal Cemetery, Lyons. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. until service time at the funeral time with family present. Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Birzer Funeral Home

214 West Ave. South

Lyons, KS 67544

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 24, 2022