Carol J. Keil-Sawyer, 79, of WaKeeney, Kansas, and former Russell resident died on Monday, May 09, 2016, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Carol was born on December 01, 1936, in rural Barton County, Kansas, the daughter of Gerhard and Elma (Galliart) Keil.  She grew up in the Barton County and Russell area and graduated from Russell High School in the class of 1953.  She was united in marriage to Leon A. Keil on  August 14, 1955 in Russell, Kansas and from this union Carol and Leon had a son they named Bradley.  Leon preceded her in death on February 09, 2003.  Bradley also preceded her in death in 2005.  For many years she worked at the city of Russell as the secretary to the city manager.  She also worked with UMB Bank as a customer representative and also worked as a secretary with Sprint.  She was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church of Russell.  Later, she found love again and was united in marriage to Lionel B. Sawyer on December 01, 2005, in Wichita, Kansas.  Carol and Lionel spent the rest of Carol's life living in WaKeeney, Kansas.  Throughout her life she was also a member of the Trego County-Lemke Hospital Auxiliary and gift shop, V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary and the Red Cross Blood Drive.  She enjoyed playing bridge, flower gardening, fishing,  traveling, Friday night dinners with family and friends and watching baseball, especially the Kansas City Royals.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Surviving family include her husband Lionel Sawyer of the home; sisters Deloris Nuss of Russell, Kansas and Geraldine Counts of Lawrence, Kansas; 3 step children and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leon A. Keil and son Bradley L. Keil.

A celebration of Carol's life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, May 13, 2016, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Thursday, May 12, 2016, at the mortuary.  Family will be present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Thursday evening.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.