Karen Kay Bickel

Karen Kay Bickel, 75, of Gypsum, Kansas, passed away Thursday, May 31st. She was born in Salina, Kansas on January 4, 1943, a daughter of the late Martha (Beck) and Harold Cooley, Sr. Karen grew up in Kipp, Kansas. Growing up, she helped out at her parents' grocery store. She went on to work at General Dynamics' Missile Base near Carlton for two years; she was a school bus driver for 23 years; she also worked for Raytheon Aircraft; and for Citizens Bank where she retired. She married Gary Bickel on October 8th, 1961. He survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Lori Hahn (Randy) of Gypsum, Kansas, and Amy Bickel (John Young) of Burrton, Kansas; son, Scott Bickel of Topeka, Kansas; brother, Robert Cooley of Lake Forest, California; two sisters, Betty Rudasill of Richmond, Virginia, and Margie Johnson of Salina. She is also survived by grandsons, Ryan (Hannah), Jason, and Stephen Hahn; granddaughters, Brett, Kaci, and Jordie Young; and many nieces and nephews. Karen is preceded in death by her sister, Peggy Baker; and brother, Harold Cooley Jr. Visitation will be at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home on Sunday, June 3 from 2 to 7 PM, with the family present from 5 to 7 PM. Funeral service will be at 10 AM, Monday, June 4 at the First Baptist Church of Gypsum, Kansas, with Pastor Randy Moravec officiating. Burial will follow at Gypsum City Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Gypsum, sent in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, 500 S. Ohio Street, Salina, Kansas.