Kelly R. (Baily) Gillen

Kelly Rae Gillen, age 62, of Oxford, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2026, at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege, Nebraska following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on September 10, 1963, in Holdrege, Nebraska, the oldest of four children born to Robert and Frances (Gibson) Baily.

She grew up in Oxford and graduated from Oxford High School with the Class of 1981. Kelly was active in 4-H and was a member of the 1980 state championship basketball team. Following high school, she attended Lincoln School of Commerce and pursued a degree in fashion merchandising.

In 1984, she married Randy Steele of Arapahoe, Nebraska. Two daughters, Cassandra (Cassie) and Alyssa, were born to this union. They later divorced. In 1997, Kelly married Michael Gillen of McCook, Nebraska, and together they welcomed their son, Sean. They later divorced.

Kelly possessed a strong work ethic and built a career that reflected her dedication, reliability, and commitment to serving others. She worked at Holdrege Co-op, served as a bookkeeper for Brooks Ford, worked as a mold technician at BD in Holdrege, and spent the final 16 years of her career with Great Plains Insurance Agency, where she retired prior to her passing.

Throughout her life, Kelly was deeply involved in her community and church. She was an active member of the Oxford United Methodist Church and served on numerous community organizations and boards, including Turkey Days, the Oxford Library Board, and the Furnas County Visitors Committee.

Kelly was a devoted supporter of Nebraska athletics and especially loved attending Nebraska volleyball games with friends.

A talented artist, Kelly enjoyed drawing and creative projects. She found joy in gardening, canning, traveling with friends, and attending the activities of her nieces and nephews. Family was at the center of her life, and she cherished family reunions, holiday gatherings, and staying connected with her extended family.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Frances (Gibson) Baily; stepson, Samuel Gillen; and grandparents, Dale and Verna Gibson and George and Myrtle Baily.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Cassandra “Cassie” Steele of Lincoln, Nebraska; Alyssa and husband Sean Bottger of Lincoln, Nebraska; and Sean Gillen of Hastings, Nebraska; her three beloved grandchildren, Dominic, Zelie, and Gianna Bottger of Lincoln, Nebraska; her father, Robert Baily of Oxford, Nebraska; brothers, Troy (Marti) Baily of Elkhorn, Nebraska, and Craig (Heidi) Baily of Oxford, Nebraska; and her sister, Candy (Russ) Kraft of Lincoln, Nebraska.

She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Taylor (Katie) Baily of Oxford, Nebraska; Trevor (Kate) Baily of Elkhorn, Nebraska; Tucker Baily of Oxford, Nebraska; Travis Baily and fiancée Lexi of Omaha, Nebraska; Colton Kraft of Lincoln, Nebraska; Sydney (Caleb) Webb of Queen Creek, Arizona; Beau Baily of Oxford, Nebraska; and Brynn Baily of Lincoln, Nebraska, along with many other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.

Kelly's kindness, creativity, generosity, and devotion to family touched countless lives. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

The family requests that memorials be given to the Oxford Fire Department, Oxford Library, or the Oxford Methodist Church in honor of her life and legacy.