Karen Kay McKishen (Gieselman) passed away in Maricopa, Arizona, on June 20, 2025, at the age of 79.

Karen was born on May 9, 1946, in Burlington, Iowa, to Elmer and Alice (Hutcheson) Gieselman. She gave her life to Christ at the age of 16 during a revival service at the Burlington Church of the Nazarene. She remained a lifelong member of the Church of the Nazarene, and taught for many years in their children’s department.

As a child, Karen traveled to all but two US states. She enjoyed a number of family train and car trips getting to see many national parks and visiting extended family. In 2013, in celebration of her retirement, she enjoyed an eight day trip to Rome, Italy.

She worked six years in the 60’s and 70’s at National Research Bureau in Burlington, Iowa, doing clerical work. She graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1972.

After graduation, she moved to Wahiawa, Hawaii, to accept a teaching position at King’s school, where she taught from 1972-1979. It was there that she met and married Paul Mckishen on April 20, 1973. Their daughter Sarah was born to them on February 10, 1974.

In 1979, Paul and Karen moved to Montrose, Colorado. Karen was an elementary school teacher for 34 years. In addition to teaching at King’s school, she also taught kindergarten and first grade at Woodgate Christian School in Montrose from 1981-1985, and first grade at Colorado West Christian school from 1988-2011. It was her joy and privilege to teach. She loved her students.

Some of Karen’s hobbies included reading, and researching and recording her family genealogy.

Due to her health, Karen spent her last three years living with her daughter‘s family in Maricopa, Arizona.

Karen was preceded in death by her father Elmer Gieselman, her mother Alice (Hutcheson) Gieselman, and her sister Carol Gieselman.

Karen was survived in death by her husband, Paul Mckishen, for nine days. Other surviving family members include her daughter Sarah Koschmann, her son-in-law Nathan Koschmann, and her grandsons Troy and Jasper Koschmann. She is also survived by her two brothers Wayne and Stanley Gieselman.

A joint memorial service will be held for Karen and Paul on July 26, 2025, at 2 PM. The service will be held at the First Church of the Nazarene, 705 South 12th St, Montrose, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, donations to Colorado West Christian school would be greatly appreciated.

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