Karen L. Gunn

Karen Louise Gunn, 62, passed away on November 19th, 2018 at Olathe Medical Center. Family will meet with friends for a celebration of life on Friday, November 23rd, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Dengel & Son Mortuary, 305 N. Pearl St., Paola, KS. Karen was born May 20, 1956 at home in Kansas City, MO to parents Wilbur and Donna (Kittrell) Branson. She grew up in Shawnee Mission, Spring Hill, and later Osawatomie, along with her siblings Glenn and Glenda. Karen served in the United States Air Force along with her first husband, Hal Gander, and they had a son, Jeremy Gander. She later married the love of her life, Wayne Gunn, on September 28th, 1996, at Pearl Street Baptist Church in Paola. She gained a stepson in Kenny Gunn. Karen courageously battled cancer for six years with the unwavering help and attention of Wayne. Karen was an excellent wife and mother, and a great friend to many people. She got to know a countless number of people in the community working at Rand’s service station and driving for C & G Delivery. She enjoyed watching her husband, Wayne, and stepson, Kenny, in demolition derby, visiting her son Jeremy’s family in North Carolina, and throwing her annual Fourth of July party. She loved doting on her husband and four grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Wilbur Branson, mother Donna (Kittrell) Branson, and first husband Hal Gander. She is survived by her loving husband, Wayne Gunn of Paola, KS, brother Glenn Branson of Branson, MO, sister Glenda Branson of Branson, MO, son Jeremy Gander and daughter-in-law Christina (Scherman) Gander of Belmont, NC, their children, Chloe, Eva, and Eli, stepson Kenny Gunn of Paola, and his child, Kamdon. The family wishes that, in lieu of flowers, donations are made to Karen’s favorite place to give, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To share your memories of Karen or leave a special condolence message for her family, please click on the Share a Memory tab.