Karen Kay Wright, age 76 of Clay Center, passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at the Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan.
She was born on September 12, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Arthur Eugene Johnson and Inez Nissen Sterrett. Karen went to live with her mother’s parents in Collins, Missouri until she started school. After completing the third grade, she moved to Kansas City, Kansas and went to Oak Grove Grade School and Turner High School.
On June 15, 1963, she married Ronald Eugene Blazevic at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kansas City, Kansas. From this union, three children were born, Sonja Kay, Veronica Lynn and John Arthur. They later divorced.
She married Dean Wright on February 14, 1978 at the First Baptist Church in Clay Center. He survives of the home.
Karen was involved in many activities. When her children were young, she was in P.T.A., AJBC Section Girl Scout Leader and worked full time at Crawford’s, where she managed the first convenience store in Clay Center. Among other jobs she had was working at Southwestern Bell, manager of UTOTem Convenience Stores in Kansas City, J.C. Penney’s, Elks and Stop to Shop in Clay Center.
She was past president of Business and Professional Women, Avanti Club, West Riverside HEU, and three Bridge Clubs. She volunteered at Medical Lodge, started the Julie Thomas Memorial Library and served on the Board of Directors. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church for ten years and served as treasurer for W.E.L.C.A.
In addition to her husband Dean, she is survived by two daughters, Sonja Blazevic (Robert Burnside) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Veronica Troutman (Mark) of Panama City, Florida; three grandchildren, Jennifer Vinson of Wichita, Matthew Bidwell (Mindy) of Winfield and Markus Troutman of Panama City, Florida; six great grandchildren, Laylah, Alexis, Jacob, Ryon, Katie and Dacey; one nephew, Steven Bardwell (Tammy) and their son Logan and one niece, Kendra Engel (Larry) and their children Hayden and Harris.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, John Arthur Blazevic; one brother, Stephen Johnson and one sister, Kristina Bardwell.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at the Olsburg Cemetery with Rev. Paul Tessaro officiating.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Clay County Relay For Life. Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.apfunerals.com.
