STERLING — Karilyn Kay (Willett) Doll, 86, left this world peacefully on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, while a resident of Sterling Village, Sterling, Kan. She was born Oct. 7, 1934 to Vern E. and Nadine (Britt) Willett in El Dorado, Kan.
Karilyn graduated from El Dorado High School in 1952 and attended Butler County Community College. She worked as a secretary for Leasure Law Office in El Dorado.
She married John Franklin Doll on March 24, 1953 and to that union were born seven children. They were later divorced.
A resident of Chase, Kan. for most of her life, Kay worked as a certified nurse’s aide at the Lyons District Hospital in Lyons and as a secretary at Chase Grade School in Chase, retiring in the year 2000. She had made many acquaintances over the years while at the hospital and CGS and had seen countless students work their way through Grade School, Middle School, and High School and then on to adulthood.
Kay, also known as Grandma Kay to so many people, loved spending time with her family and friends, whether it was having a picnic or watching the sunrise at Sterling Lake, going to lots of movies and concerts, going shopping, or checking out different restaurants. She loved her margaritas, red beers, reading good books and she absolutely loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren and attending their special events over the years. Kay also had a special soft spot in her heart for her grandpups and loved listening to those “doggie tales.” She was a fabulous cook...making tasty fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy and the most marvelous “pinwheel cake,” along with many other delectable delights.
Survivors include her children Terri and Jeff Huslig, Ellinwood, Kan., Mick and Deana Doll, Raymond, Kan., Cheryl and Don Stegman, Lyons, Kan., Tami and Sparky Campbell, Olathe, Kan., Marty Doll, Chase, Kan., Monte and Robin Doll, Ellinwood, Kan., and Debora and Rick Weve, Wichita, Kan.; one brother, Scotty and Shirley Willett, Park Hill, Okla.; one sister-in-law, Arleen Shipley, Deer Creek, Okla.; 16 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Kay was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Wayne Willett; and her grandson, Daulton Doll (who was most definitely waiting for her at the Pearly Gates with open arms and a giant smile).
Per Kay’s request, there will be no funeral service as cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 18, 2021, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 5 p.m. at Birzer Funeral Home in Sterling, Kan. A private family service is scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Daulton’s Room at the Ellinwood Public Library and to Sterling Lake, in care of Birzer Funeral Home, 203 North Seventh Street, Sterling, Kansas 67579.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Birzer Funeral Home
203 North Seventh Street
Sterling, Kansas 67579
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 13, 2021
