Faye Isabelle Kay

Faye Isabelle Kerstetter Kay was born on December 29, 1923, in Douglas County, Nebraska, to Earnest and Emma (Stender) Kerstetter. She attended Startown School and later Washington School. Growing up she enjoyed spending time with relatives and friends in the town of Washington. Her mother passed away when Faye was 13 and she took on the role of cook and housekeeper for her family. She still preferred being a tomboy, riding her horse Andy and trying to keep up with her dad and 2 brothers on the farm. Faye married Irvin Kay on February 26, 1941, at the Elk City United Methodist Church and to this union 2 sons were born, Glenn and Merlin. They raised their family on several different farms in the Bennington area. Faye was a hard-working homemaker who enjoyed gardening, canning, and especially making her great pies! Faye and Irvin loved dancing, travelling, and being with their grandkids. She was dedicated to Irvin and her family. Christmas was always a special time for her, making dinner and hurrying to open the presents. She was active in Extension Club, Eagles, Elk City Methodist Church, and St. John’s Lutheran Church. In later years she would drive to Blair each week to have lunch with friends and shop. At home she spent many hours outside working in her garden, watching the birds, and enjoying the activities in the neighborhood. Faye moved to Blair in 2009. She enjoyed the wonderful care and friendliness of the staff at Crowell Home. She passed away there on Wednesday, February 22, 2012, at the age of 88 years, 1 month, and 25 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earnest and Emma, husband Irvin, brothers Stanley and Clyde, and 3 stepbrothers, Calvin, Kermit, and Keith Cornelius. Faye is survived by sons and daughters-in-law Glenn and Denise of Fremont, Nebraska, and Merlin and Annette of Kennard, Nebraska; and sister-in-law Grace Kerstetter of Kennard, Nebraska. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren: Theresa Kay and Chris Hiemstra, Adeline and Elinor of Fairbanks, Alaska; Tara and Shannon Woods, Silvia and Gavin of Fremont, Nebraska; Christie and Nik Sather, Alexis, Emma, and Thor of Chetek, Wisconsin; Melissa and Heath Johnson, Mackenzie, Madison, and Mira of Omaha, Nebraska; and April and Matt Turner, Josie and Cora of Bennington, Nebraska.

Faye Isabelle Kay

December 29, 1923 - February 23, 2012