Kay Finneseth

Kay Slininger Finneseth passed away on Aug. 31, 2022 in Perry peacefully with family at her side at the age of 86. She was born on June 26, 1936 to Clyde and Wilma (Winey) Slininger in Carroll.

Kay spent most of her life in Jefferson, Iowa, 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 (over 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 1960’s and they passed this tradition on to their sons and their families.

Kay is survived by her sons, Scott (Kay) Finneseth of Perry, Steve (Melissa) Finneseth of Lee’s Summit, MO, 6 grandchildren: David Finneseth, John (Samantha) Finneseth, Amanda (Scott) Sabo, Laura (Anthony) Worden, Allison (John) Frederick, Megan (Dylan) Cornell. 4 great-grandchildren, Eric and Olivia Finneseth, Annetta Worden and Roselynn Sabo; nephew, Bruce Gibson, niece, Diane Gibson; a brother-in-law Robert (Roberta) Finneseth, and nieces Karon Rynerson & Susan Schlichter.

Kay is preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Wilma (Winey) Slininger, her husband, Jack and her sister, Marian.  Services were arranged by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson.

Visitation was held Sunday, Sept. 4 at the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson. Funeral service was also held Sunday, Sept. 4 at the First Presbyterian Church. Interment was held at the Jefferson Cemetery Tuesday, Sept. 6. 

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Jefferson Bee & Herald
Address: 200 N. Wilson St.
Jefferson, IA 50129

Phone:(515) 386-4161