Donnelly, Kathryn 'Kay'

Kathryn “Kay” Donnelly passed away peacefully on Nov. 26, 2011, in Madison, Wis.  A funeral mass at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10,  followed by interment at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home on Friday, Dec. 9, from 4 to 7 p.m. and after 9 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Kay is survived by her four children, Tom (Nancy) of Cedar Rapids, Tim of Madison, Wis., Terry (Donna) of Madison, Wis., and Lisa Donnelly Angell of Mount Prospect, Ill.; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Bill; parents; Karl Renk and Ellen (Farrell) Renk; brothers, Charles, Richard, Karl and Paul John; sister, Carol; daughter, Mary Lane Donnelly; and granddaughter, Tatem Donnelly.

Kay was born Oct. 8, 1920, in Monticello, Iowa. She and Bill were united in marriage on Jan. 24, 1945, at Sacred Heart Church in Monticello. Shortly after Bill's discharge from the Navy they moved to Cedar Rapids. There they raised their children and made numerous and longtime friends. They relocated to Madison, Wis., in 2001 to be closer to their son Terry and his family. Although she lived there for over 10 years, her heart remained in Cedar Rapids.

Kay was a devoted wife who enjoyed life and being involved in her church. Upon becoming a mother, she remained so, 24/7 for the next 64 years. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren never left Grandma Kay's home hungry, without a little something to take with them, an admonishment to be careful, a hug and a whispered “I love you” in their ears.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kay's memory can be made to St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, or Camp Courageous, Monticello.

Online condolences may be sent to  under obituaries.

Published Nov. 28, 2011, in The Gazette