Roberta “Bert” Ellen Gay, 89, of Gardner, KS passed away Aug. 3, 2022 at Good Samaritan in Olathe, KS. Rosary will be at 6:00 pm, Mon., Aug. 8, 2022; Visitation follows from 6:30 – 8:00 pm, all at Bruce Funeral Home,106 S. Center, Gardner, KS (913) 856-7111. Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 am Tues., Aug. 9, 2022 at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 555 W. Main, Gardner, KS. Burial follows at St. Columbia Catholic Cemetery, Gardner, KS. Memorial contributions may be made to Oakbrook Animal Hospital, Gardner, KS. Condolences may be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com

Bert was born in rural Wabaunsee County Kansas on Oct. 19, 1932 to Raymond Alvin and Veronica Hannora (Wayman) Karnes. Her family moved to Gardner, KS in 1942 when she was ten years old from Alma, KS. Bert graduated from Gardner High School in 1950. She married Richard Gene Gay on Oct. 17, 1951 in Gardner. Bert worked as a secretary for Gault-Moore-Stevens Engineering, Gardner, KS, Gardner Community Medical Center, Paniplus Products, Olathe, KS, Clerk of District Court, Johnson County Court House and Shedds Foods, New Century Airport. She was a member of Divine Mercy Catholic Parish where she was a lector, taught religious education, often led the Rosary and was on the church council for 13 years. She also was a member and past-president of the Altar Society as well as a member of the Daughters of Isabella. Bert was chaplain of the Gardner American Legion Auxiliary, served two terms as president of the Gardner Alumni Assoc. and was past-president of the Gardner Athena Club. She coached Girls Little League and was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution. Bert enjoyed quilting, gardening, ceramics and playing cards. She was also a member of the Delta Deck Bridge Club and past-president of the Gardner Senior Citizens Group. Bert will be dearly missed by family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Gene in 2019; sister Patricia Meaney; sons-in-law: Gary Winters and Mike Coltharp; grandsons: Paul and Nathan and great-granddaughter Makayla. Bert is survived by her children: Richard Gene Gay Jr., Lake Oswego, OR, Veronica Virginia Winters, Paola, KS, Josephine Louise Racicot, Gardner, KS, Donald Wayne and wife Corrine Gay, Osawatomie, KS and Jeanette Lynne Coltharp, Gardner, KS; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren.