OLATHE — Karen Sue Wells was called home to our Lord on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. Following a short battle with cancer, she passed away at home surrounded by her close family.

Karen was born Sept. 26, 1946, in Beatrice, Neb. to Gerald and Opal Jean Moore. As a child, her family moved frequently, eventually settling in Larned, Kan., where she met the love of her life, Ronald Wells.

After seeing Ron for the first time at the local A&W Drive-in, Karen declared that was the boy she was going to marry. Recently celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary, they are still as much in love as the day they married.

Karen graduated from Larned High School in 1964 and later received her nursing degree from Asbury School of Nursing in Salina, Kan. She devoted more than 35 years of her career working in hospital and clinical settings and spent the last 17 years, while living in Salina, as the Head Nurse for Central Kansas ENT Associates. After moving to Kansas City in 2006, she worked the remainder of her career at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. Upon retiring, she spent much of her free time knitting for her children and grandchildren; she also enjoyed cooking and baking. 

She is survived by her husband Ronald and their children, son Jerry, wife Anica, and children Michael, Hadassah, Jael, Jeremiah and Eliyanah; son James, wife Crystal, and daughter Jaelynn; daughter Jennifer and children Collin and Rylee. She is also survived by her sisters Ann Hall and husband Allen, Carol McJunkin and husband Butch; sister-in-law Jacque Mohler and husband Quentin; along with numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom adored her.

Karen’s final wish was cremation and for the family to hold a private Celebration of Life. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be made to Kindred Hospice in honor of Karen. https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/KindredatHomeFoundationInc/KAHF.htm.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 12, 2021