Barr Memorial Chapel obituary - Karen K. Gillett, 78, of Fort Madison

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Karen K. Gillett, 78, of Fort Madison, Iowa died Monday, April 29, 2019 at The Madison, Fort Madison, Iowa.  She was born December 30, 1940 in Fort Madison, a daughter of Arleigh Bradley and Mae Wright (Story) Keester.  On June 14, 1959, she married Frank H. Gillett at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Madison. 

Karen was a 1958 graduate of Fort Madison High School.  She had a connection with children and worked in the library at Richardson School for 25 years.  She enjoyed playing cards, reading, crossword puzzles, and shopping.  She was a lifetime member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church.  She loved her family and was a great wife, mom, and grandma.  She was known as “Grandma Brown Bear” to her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Frank H. Gillett of Fort Madison; one son, Scott (Mary) Gillett of Fort Madison; one daughter, Shelly (Nathan) Poole of Des Moines, Iowa; two brothers, Larry (Marlene) Keester of Eldridge, Iowa and Roger (Mary Lou) Keester of Bettendorf, Iowa; three grandsons: Torrey, Nathan, and Jacob; numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, John and Bradley Keester; and five sisters: Hilda Keester, Wanda Worden, JoAnn Bohnenkamp Miller, Nina Brayton and Sheila Busard.

Her family will greet friends from 10:00 - 11:00 am Friday, May 3, 2019 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison.  A memorial service will follow and begin at 11:00 am Friday, May 3, 2019 at the funeral home with Pastor Pete Hagglund officiating.  Burial will be at Soldiers Circle, Oakland Cemetery, Fort Madison.  A memorial has been established for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, contributions may be made at the funeral home.  Online condolences to the Gillett Family may be made from the Barr Memorial Chapel, www.barrmemorialchapel.com.

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