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 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. 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.
Survivors include her husband; daughter Kelli Swing of Seagoville, Texas; sons, Jeff Strause and Derrick Clay of Burlington; two grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and sister, Patti Van Winkle of Mediapolis.
Friends may call Monday, Dec. 20 and the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lunning Chapel. The funeral service for Karen will be Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m. 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.