Karen “Kay” (Burns) Heier Nagao passed away Thursday, January 15, 2015 at Gove County Medical Center, Long Term Care, Quinter.

She was born April 17, 1938 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Lois Ovella Simmons Hyer Ecklund. Karen was adopted by Earl Noel and Calista Alene (Stewart) Burns.

She married Leo Valentine Heier on November 22, 1958. They later divorced. On September 7, 1982, Kay was united in marriage to Tetsuo “Ted” Nagao. He preceded her in death on March 23, 2004. She is also preceded in death by her biological mother; her adopted parents; her husbands; a sister, Sara Dodson; and a daughter Lori Anne Heier. She is survived by her son, Joseph Heier and wife Kimberly of Grainfield; three grandchildren, Roert Lund and wife Naomi of Arvada, Colorado, Calista Heier and A.J. Heier of Grainfield; two great-grandchildren, Reese Lund of Grainfield and Brayden Lund of Pratt; two sisters, Patricia and husband Scott Shannon of Colorado, and Mary Lowery of Bradenton, Florida; a brother, Dennis Ecklund and wife Anita, of Florida; a brother-in-law, Sam Dodson of Florida; and many nieces and nephews. Kay was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and Altar Society and the Gove County Medical Center Auxiliary. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kay was known for her talent in the kitchen cooking and baking. She will be missed by many.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m., January 31, 2015 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Grainfield. Memorial services will be family hosted. There will be no visitation as cremation was chosen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Gove County Medical Center, Long Term Care or Grainfield Fire Department (to help with the new Community Sign). Checks made to the organization may be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 S. Main, Quinter, KS 67752.