Argus :: Obits :: G. Sue Palmer

Gwendolyn Sue Palmer, 78, of Astoria died Jan. 6, 2026, in Summum surrounded by family and friends.

She was born July 26, 1947, in Beardstown, the daughter of Bobby Lee Lael and Beulah Sullins Lael. She married Allen Ray Palmer on April 20, 1965, in Beardstown. He preceded her in death.

She also was preceded in death by two brothers, Charles “Chuck” (surviving wife, Sally) Lael and Mike (Kathy) Lael; and daughter-in-law, Vivian “Viv” Palmer.

Surviving are her children and grandchildren, Allen “Ray” Palmer Jr.; Stacey (Von) Geisendorfer, parents of Audrie Weir and Vance (Abigail) Geisendorfer; Matthew “Matt” Palmer, father of Madison Palmer, Brianna Gleason and Danielle Thacker; Angela Smith, mother of Jessica (Courtney) Jackson and Kourtnie Smith; Leslie Palmer, father to Dylan (Tiffany) Kinkead and Nina Palmer; 19 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Thomas “Tom” (Debbie) Lael of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Keith (Carl) Lael of Springfield; special town ladies to the family, Angie Moore and Win Palmer; and several nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Beardstown High School in 1965, she began working for her Aunt Gwennie Boyd in Beardstown at Boyd Nursing Home and the Campus Inn. Shortly following, she spent 11 years working for her brother-in-law, Cliff Parry, at Cliff’s Auto Parts in Astoria. She also worked at Norris Farms in the tomato field in Lewistown, as well as Green Bay Foods at the Pickle Plant in Havana. In her later years, she was employed at Hardee’s in Havana, where she served 15 years.

Services were held Saturday, Jan. 10, at Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria with Dick Meehan officiating. Burial was in the Astoria Cemetery.