Funeral services for Kay Finneseth, 86, of Jefferson will be 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4 at the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson. For those who cannot attend, the funeral service will be live streamed on the Slininger-Schroeder Facebook page. Live streaming will begin a few minutes prior to the start of the service. You do not need a pass word.
Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4 at the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6 at the Jefferson Cemetery in Jefferson.
Kay Slininger Finneseth passed away Aug. 31, 2022, in Perry, Iowa, peacefully with family at her side at the age of 86. She was born June 26, 1936, to Clyde and Wilma (Winey) Slininger in Carroll, Iowa.
Kay spent most of her life in Jefferson, where she graduated from Jefferson High School in 1954. Kay went to college at Colorado State University and earned her degrees in occupational therapy and dietetics.
She met her husband, Jack, in Jefferson, and they were married Oct. 14, 1961, at the First Presbyterian Church. They established their home in Jefferson, where they owned a local Hallmark store. They were blessed with two sons, Clyde Scott and Steve John.
Growing up, Kay enjoyed going to her grandparents’ farm, where she developed her love for horses and cats. She loved to ride horses and rode with her father in many parades.
Kay spent many summers as a child in Colorado with her parents and sister, Marian, where they would take their horses with them and ride in the mountains. Kay also spent time after college working in New York and Chicago as a young woman.
This love of traveling continued with her family, including ski trips to Colorado, summer trips to Minnesota, trips to Florida, Arizona and many other destinations.
Kay was very creative, and she made many gifts for her family and friends with needlepoint, knitting, sewing and cross-stitch. These items will be cherished by loved ones for years to come.
Kay loved music and was in choir and played piano and flute in high school and college and was also in the marching band.
Kay also was known to be a great cook and entertained family and friends in her home often.
Kay’s greatest joys were spending time with her sons, Scott and Steve, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kay always made family a priority and would be seen in the stands or on the bleachers to support her children and grandchildren at their school or extracurricular events.
Kay enjoyed volunteering her time in many organizations both locally and statewide. She was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson where, over the years, she was involved and active in almost all of their committees or groups.
She was president, chairperson or state officer for many organizations, including PEO (more than 65 years), Federation of Iowa Women’s club, garden club, Jefferson Public Library, (2) all-school reunions, Appaloosa horse clubs, 4-H and many others.
She and Jack were aquatics commissioners for the Iowa Games and Special Olympics in Ames for many years.
Going to Iowa State basketball (men’s and women’s), football, volleyball and wrestling was one of their favorite activities. They were season ticket holders since the 1960s, and they passed this tradition on to their sons and their families.
Kay is survived by her sons, Scott (Kay) Finneseth of Perry and Steve (Melissa) Finneseth of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; six grandchildren, David Finneseth, John (Samantha) Finneseth, Amanda (Scott) Sabo, Laura (Anthony) Worden, Allison (John) Frederick and Megan (Dylan) Cornell; four great-grandchildren, Eric and Olivia Finneseth, Annetta Worden and Roselynn Sabo; nephew, Bruce Gibson; niece, Diane Gibson; brother-in-law, Robert (Roberta) Finneseth; and nieces, Karon Rynerson and Susan Schlichter.
Kay is preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Wilma (Winey) Slininger; her husband, Jack; and her sister, Marian.
Memorials are suggested to the Jefferson Public Library or the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson.
