Karen Ruth Gilbert entered this world on December 30, 1946 and left us on October 22, 2024. She was a wonderful mom, grandma, and a friend to many. She enjoyed playing board games, cards, piano, as well as singing karaoke and dancing. She loved all types of animals; specifically, cats or dogs that would sleep on her lap for extended periods of time. 

 She was born Karen Wendt in Marysville KS and was adopted by Evans and Lillian Newton in 1953, who raised her in Green KS. She attended elementary and grade school in Green, then graduated high school from Blue Valley. She worked as a bookkeeper in the Clay County area for 40 years. She started that bookkeeping career at the Morganville Grain Co in 1972 and she retired from Farmway Coop in Clay Center in 2012. She served on the board of C & R Credit Union, was the pianist for the Clay Center Bible Church for many years and was a member of the First Baptist Church. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Lighthouse For Christ after retirement.

 Survivors include her son, Greg Gilbert and daughter, Amy (Jim) Green; sister, Charlotte (Dennie) Braddock; sister-in-law, Connie Richardson; grandchildren, Matt (Elizabeth) Gilbert and Corey (Jazarae) Gilbert and Kayla Green, along with great grandkids, Naomi, Lennox and Sophia and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; half-brothers Jim Richardson and Clayton Glick; half-sister, Joan Davis and grandson Tyler Green. 

 Memorial Services will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, November 8, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Clay Center.

 Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Thursday, November 7 at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home

 Memorial contributions may be made to the Clay Center Utility Park Zoo