Karen Gelvin

Karen Diane Gelvin was born on June 12, 1951 to Mattie Jo and John Savute in Wichita, Kansas. She passed on February 15, 2018 surrounded by family at Kansas City Hospice House, following a year-long battle with stomach cancer. A devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Karen considered her fond relationships one of her greatest accomplishments. Her family and friends adored Karen and admired her ability to connect with all around her.

Karen and her siblings had a fun-loving childhood in Wichita with their parents and grandparents running the family restaurant, Savute’s. Growing up, Karen became a competetive baton twirler, eventually being selected as drum majorette in the Wichita Heights High School marching band. She cherished these memories, especially marching in President Nixon’s Inaugural Parade.

Karen received her Associate Degree from Butler County Junior College. She then worked as an executive secretary at Koch Industries where she met her husband, Jeffrey T. Gelvin. Karen always considered herself blessed with the opportunity to stay home and raise her three children, the joys of her life. She enjoyed her involvement with the children’s schools and activities, and she became a mother figure to many. Throughout her life, Karen enjoyed traveling the world with family, gardening, cooking, shopping, and a fine cup of coffee . . . followed by more shopping. Above all, she adored her grandchildren. “Nana” spent every moment she could attending the grandkids’ activities, babysitting, hosting sleepovers, and satisfying any sweet tooth that came asking.

Karen is survived by her mother Mattie Jo Savute, husband Jeffrey, daughters Emily Finlason (Mike) and Courtney Raupp (Michael), son Heath (Kristen), as well as her grandchildren: Kenna (14), Josie (11), and John Thomas (7) Finlason; Addison (8) and Jessica (6) Gelvin; and Sarah (3) and Madison (11 mo.) Raupp.

In leu of flowers, the family is grateful for donations made in Karen’s name to the Kansas City Hospice Foundation, 1500 Meadow Lake Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, Missouri 64114, or online at www.kchospice.org.