A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Keyhole Reservoir at the Tatanka area.
Karen L. Kennedy, of Gillette, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Billings, Montana.
Karen was born June 18, 1953, in Alliance, Nebraska, to Pete and Lillyan (Buchanan) Rask.
Karen attended school in Alliance, graduating in June 1971.
Karen started working at Jack & Jill Grocery Store in Alliance at the age of 15, as a cashier, until she graduated and met and married Timothy Kennedy of Oshkosh, Nebraska, in 1971. She joined Tim in Curtis, Nebraska, where he was attending college.
In 1972, they moved to Oshkosh, where Tim worked for the Oshkosh Animal Clinic. Karen went to work for Midwec starting on the production line and worked her way up to supervisor. Karen attended several different supervisor classes and a Quality Control Manager school in New York City, New York. When the family moved to Sidney, Nebraska, Karen transferred to the Midwec division in Sidney, and became Quality Control Manager.
In 1977, Karen joined Tim in the Fuel and C-Store business as office manager and C-Store manager, helping Tim build the fuel, lubricants, C-Store and truck stop industry in Sidney and Julesburg, Colorado, for Pro Oil Sapp Bros. for 15 years.
In 1992, the family moved to Casper, Wyoming. Karen went to work for the hospital and counseling center as a bookkeeper. In her free time with daughter Abbie, she took up ceramics and designed several pieces. Three years later, Karen went to work for Hult Construction. In addition to bookkeeping, Karen installed wallpaper for their many jobs.
In 1996, the family moved to Gillette. Karen went to work for M&K OIl and three years later she received her first granddaughter born to TK and Richelle. Kelsea, a sweet little girl, was the apple of grandmas' eye and her pride and joy. Karen could hardly wait until the next time to see her. In 2005, she was again blessed by her second granddaughter, born to Abbie and Billy-Cadence was her sweet pea and light. Karen retired after 13 years of service at M&K Oil.
Karen decided to try the entertaining sport of bowling and joined the Wednesday night women's league. After the first year, her daughter Abbie joined the team. Karen was a team captain, league board member, league vice president, on the Campbell county Women's Bowling board, vice president of the CCWBA bowling board, as well as a board member for the Wyoming Women's State Board.
Karen gave up her bowling passion when Abbie gave birth to her set of twins. Yes, a set of adorable identical twin girls born on Christmas day. Karen enjoyed all the hours she was blessed to spend with these three little girls. Grandma and grandpa didn't know if they were done receiving grandchildren or not, but Michael and Wendy came along with a grandson three years after the twins were born, then three years later, was blessed with a set of twin boys. Now, Karen had plenty of time to enjoy these little grandchildren. Four years later, Michael received another set of boys. Yes, Karen had nine grandchildren, four girls and five boys in all--three sets of twin grandchildren.
Karen was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, and a Cub Scout and Boy Scout den mother. She also helped the women with fundraisers at St. Matthew's Church and St. Patrick's Church in Sidney, Nebraska. Karen had many hobbies. She loved working in the garden and yard work - Karen had several different perennial and annual flowers around the yard, as well as a relaxing pond she loved very much.
Karen's favorite hobbies were fishing and camping, and they became even more of a favorite when one or more grandchildren went along.
Karen leaves behind husband Tim of 53 years; sons, Timothy "TK" Shawn Kennedy (Richelle), and Micheal P. Kennedy (Wendy); daughter, Abbie L. Little (Billy); nine grandchildren, Kelsea Kennedy of Casper, Cadence, Cami and Cylee Little of Gillette, and Hayden, Teagon, Tallon, Bridger, and Trapper Kennedy of Thayne, Wyoming; sisters, Cindy and Kris; brother, Gary; and many nieces and nephews.
Karen was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; sisters, Beth, Connie, and Linda; brother, Allen; and nieces, Katie and Angie.