Gwendolyn Ruth Wilson, Gwen, as she was known, 72, of Overland Park, KS, passed away on February 4, 2021, after fighting the devastating effects from SARS-CoV-2. Gwen was born to Charles and Margaret Rindom in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from Paseo High School in 1966 and attended Park College from 1966-1969, majoring in Elementary Education.
Gwen married David Olin Wilson on February 15, 1975– in the midst of a terrible snowstorm. Gwen will be missed terribly by her mother, Margaret Rindom, son, Kyle Wilson, daughter and son in-law, Erin and Eric Reiner, and four grandchildren, who brought her immense joy, Parker, Violet, Thomas, and Vayda, along with a brother and sister in-law, Mark and Loraine Wilson, step-daughter, step-son, nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
Gwen was preceded in death by her husband, David, father, Charles Rindom, brothers Ronald and David, and sister in-law, Linda Wilson.
Gwen grew up in Kanas City, sandwiched between two brothers, she was more tomboy growing up, often playing football with the boys and riding bikes. She was also a rainbow girl.
Gwen joined BMA, where she met her husband, David, who so romantically proposed to her in a movie theater. She soon joined Kansas City Life Insurance Company in May 1976, in Customer Service, later Computer Programming, then Computer Information Systems, until her retirement in 2008. It is there where she met life-long friends, many of whom still bowled together, attended quarter-century club dinners, had a lunch bunch group, and was affectionately called Gwenie the Pooh.
She loved gardening, traveling to Las Vegas with David, watching Kyle and Erin play endless soccer games in their youth, and doing crossword puzzles.
She was no fair-weather fan – Gwen had been rooting for the Chiefs since the beginning and was a season ticket holder from 1975-1981 with David, Mark, and Loraine. You’d often find Gwen yelling at the TV on Sundays and was elated to watch her Chiefs win another Superbowl last year.
Gwen was an avid bowler and was quite good at it too. She loved sewing, crocheting, knitting, and most of all, quilting. She used those gifts to knit mittens for babies, quilt for local charities, and make small comforters for local animal shelters. She was incredibly gifted at quilting and loved to share that gift with others.
Above all, her greatest joy was her children and grandchildren. She reveled in running around with the grandkids, reading to them, playing with them, and doting on them in every way.
Gwen was a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend, with a big smile, quiet demeanor, and playful spirit. She will be missed terribly by all those who loved her.
A memorial service is being scheduled and will update with more details once they are finalized.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Gwen’s honor to be made to two charitable organizations that she often supported: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Harvesters – The Community Food Network.
Cousin ,Roseville ,California
Beautifully written! We will never forget Gwen’s bright and kind smile. Love you cousin, Jan and Jim Connizzo Connie Avers
Sending you strength and love during this heartbreaking time. We are so very sorry for your loss.
friend ,Thornton ,Colorado
So sorry for your loss. Gwen was well loved, and loved her family immensely. I will miss her deeply.
Sister in law ,Stillwater ,Minnesota
I am so sorry for the loss of your mom and daughter and grandma. 💗
Friend ,PLEASANT HILL ,Missouri
I'm so sorry to learn of this. My Dad, Lee Boyd, and myself worked with Gwen for many years at Kansas City Life Insurance. She was a very special lady! I really enjoyed talking with her at our work "breakfast" table every day. Very sorry for your loss!