account

Obituary

Karen Lee Clay, 77 of Burlington died Thursday, December 16, 2021 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House surrounded by family.

Born June 25, 1944 at Burlington Hospital, she was the daughter of Grover J. and Elnora Verlee (Vandermark) Willson JR. Karen attended Yarmouth School through eleventh grade and graduated from Mediapolis High School in 1962. She was an avid 6 on 6 basketball player.

She married the love of her life Robert Douglas Clay in Burlington on July 30, 1977.

Karen started in the insurance industry when she was hired by Art Hazell at Hazell Agencies in 1969. She worked for Hazell Agencies until 1989 when she opened her own agency, Karen Clay Insurance and grew it to a successful business until her retirement in 2006.

Karen was of the Baptist Faith. She was a devoted and active member of the Burlington Kiwanis Club where she had 22 years of perfect attendance. Her two favorite Kiwanis events were the annual pancake breakfast and Kids Shopping Day at Target. She served as past president from 2010 to 2011. She was also a member of the Southeastern Community College Booster Club, the Bel Canto Chorale and she was on the board of Aspen Grove Cemetery. She loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and was a football season ticket holder for many years. She also supported the SCC Blackhawks Men’s Basketball team and attended almost every home game. After her retirement, Karen spent her time gardening, spending time with friends, and traveling. She was able to achieve her bucket list goal of visiting all 50 states.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Douglas Clay of Burlington; daughter Kelli (Patrick) Swing of Seagoville, TX; sons Jeff (Sue) Strause and Derrick (Kim) Clay of Burlington; grandchildren Garrett Strause and Halliday Swing; great grandchildren Delia, Gunnar, Emma, and Frankie; sister Patti (Rick) Van Winkle of Mediapolis; sister-in-laws Bobbie Jean Tucker of Waco, TX; Shirley Martin and Ruby Gray of San Francisco, CA; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents Grover and Elnora and brother Terry Gene Willson.

Friends may call after noon Monday, December 20, 2021, and the family will receive friends from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Lunning Chapel. The funeral service for Karen will be Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 11:00am at Lunning Chapel with Pastor Dean Graber officiating. Burial will follow the services at Aspen Grove Cemetery. A reception will be held after the burial at The Moose Lodge.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice.