DOROTHY APPLEBERRY

DOROTHY APPLEBERRY 09/21/1939 - 08/14/2025 Dorothy Kay Appleberry (nee Gardner), born on September 21, 1939, to Mark and Dorothy (Wilcoxson) Gardner, passed away on August 14, 2025, at the age of 85. Kay was surrounded in the Independence, Mo., home where she raised her two children, Susan (Darrin) Widick and Rob (Rachelle) Appleberry and spent many 'Grandma Days' with her five grandchildren, Abbey (fiancé Sean Moise) and Allie Widick, and RJ (Allie), Ashley and Robby Appleberry. Kay grew up in Louisburg, Kan., with her three brothers and sister: Robert (Loree) Gardner, Paola; Mark (Dorothy) Gardner, Louisburg; Marge Summervill, Marion; and Owen (Marsha) Gardner, Louisburg. She attended Kansas State University where she earned a BS in Medical Technology in 1961. She spent her life in the medical field as a med tech, retiring from Medical Plaza Consultants. Kay married Robert M. Appleberry on September 12, 1964, celebrating 56 years of marriage before Bob's passing in 2021. She was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority and attended Eastgate Christian Church. Her passions of baking banana bread for any lucky recipient and growing her peonies will live on in those she shared them with. Most of all, though, it was about family for Kay. She cherished those aforementioned 'Grandma Days' with her five grandchildren, including weenie roasts in the woods and catching crawdads in the creek by her house, enjoying black cows at Mugs Up, coloring, playing board games and cards, and just spending quality time together. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, mother-and father-in-law Robert and Wilma Appleberry, and brother-in-law Mick Summervill. She is survived by her children and grandchildren, her siblings, and by many nieces and nephews. Services will be September 13 at Floral Hills Funeral Home, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City. Visitation at 9 a.m. and service at 10 a.m. The family suggests contributions to the Widick and Appleberry Family Fund at Truman Heartland Community Foundation for the awarding of scholarship funds to K-State.