Karen Louise (Grafton) Fay, 72 of Laclede, Missouri, passed away June 23, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri, surrounded by her family. Karen was born November 30, 1953, in Brookfield, Missouri, to Lloyd and Dorothy (Thorp) Grafton. On January 5, 1975, she married John Weldon Fay in Linneus, Missouri.
Karen was a member of South Eagle United Methodist Church, North Missouri Piecemakers Quilt Guild, Brott Club, and Order of the Eastern Star. Karen graduated from Linn County R-I and the University of Missouri. She spent the majority of her working years serving her community through the State of Missouri’s Family Support Division, obtaining her Masters of Social work in 2002.
Karen was gifted in several pastimes including gardening, crochet, knitting, cross stitch, and sewing clothing. Her biggest passion and her lasting legacy was quilting. Karen made countless quilts for family and friends as well as for military veterans and community members affected by disasters. This kindness was returned to Karen in her final earthly moments as she was warmed by a quilt made lovingly by strangers and donated to Northcare Hospice House.
Karen is survived by her husband John, her children and their spouses, Eleanor and Wade Wyss of Madison, John Franklin and Ginny Fay of Brookfield, and Caroline and Chris Frizzell of Laclede; seven grandchildren, Michaela Bradley, Grant and Kayla Fay, Caleb Bradley, Dylan Fay and Ashley Davis, Marian Frizzell, Audrey Frizzell, and Zella Fay; as well as two great-granddaughters, Emma and Luna Fay; brothers and sisters-in-law Steven and Linda Fay, Philip and Anita Fay, Bill and Martha Montgomery; two cousins Mindy Hunke and Shawna Lichtenwalner; many nieces and nephews, and good friends.
Karen did not know how to stop serving others. Despite physical limitations that life brought her way, she always found a way to show kindness and compassion. Please consider an act of kindness in her memory, whether it is making a quilt, helping 4-H members learn a skill, serving a meal to others, or donating blood.
Memorial service will be Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 3 pm at the Wright Funeral Home in Brookfield, MO. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5 to 7 pm, at the funeral home. Burial will take place at the Rose Hill Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the South Eagle United Methodist Church.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
