Carolyn Jean (Sasse) Gillen, 79, died February 25, 2024, at Reflection Living Hutchinson. She was born September 1, 1944, in Smith County to Albert Sasse and Rosina (Zabel) Sasse.
Carolyn was a 1962 graduate of Gaylord High School, Gaylord, KS. She graduated in 1966 from Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS, with a Bachelors Degree in Home Economics. She worked at TECH, Inc. as an admissions counselor, retiring with over 30 years of service. Carolyn was a member of Church of the Holy Cross, Hutchinson, KS.
On November 25, 1972, Carolyn married Robert ‘Bob’ Ignatius Gillen in Hutchinson, KS. They shared over 44 years of marriage, prior to his death on January 9, 2017.
She is survived by: her children, Stuart (Ginger) Gillen of Leander, TX, Christine (Jeff) Schletzbaum of Hutchinson, KS, and Gretchen Gillen of Saint Louis, MO; grandchildren, Kayla Gillen, Sydney Gillen, Zachary Schletzbaum, Gillian Schletzbaum, and Tyler Schletzbaum; and sister, Arlene Benn of Smith Center, KS.
Carolyn was preceded in death by: her parents; husband; brother, Maynard Sasse; and sisters, Dorine Kuhlmann and Verna Dusin.
Parish Rosary will be 10 a.m. Friday, March 1, 2024, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at Church of the Holy Cross, 2631 Independence Road, Hutchinson, KS. Burial will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 1, 2024, at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5905 W. 4th Avenue, Hutchinson, KS. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, with the family present from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Church of the Holy Cross or TECH, Inc., in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.