Kay Stephenson

It is with deep sadness that we tell you of the passing of Kay Stephenson. She completed her journey here on Earth on June 30, 2026, at rest in her home. She leaves behind many hurting hearts, as she was the center of our family. Her spirit lives on within us in the many memories we hold dear.

Kay began her life with parents Karl and Eva in November of 1942 in Umatilla, Ore. They were joined by a little brother almost four years later. They moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in their elementary school years. During the high school years, Kay began dating Fred, and they were married shortly after, having eloped to Bonners Ferry. They remained devoted to one another until Fred passed away in 2013.

They welcomed three children into the family: Candace, Fred Joseph and Karla. Family was the most important part of their lives and included many family vacations, drives on Sunday afternoons, longer drives to automobile gatherings, camping trips and adventures aplenty. Kay loved having pets — Boston Terriers, a Dachshund, a beloved mixed breed and most recently, Lucky the Shih Tzu. There were many cats and birds and much feeding of the squirrels as well. For a time, she kept a 55-gallon aquarium with a Plecostomus that ate green beans, a hermit crab who was an escape artist, loads of mollies and angel fish.

Kay had a great number of friends — some from high school whom she continued to keep in contact with to the present day. There were many from her years spent as a member of the TOPS club, and many more from the car groups, the beautician who became a lifelong friend, and neighbors as well.

Kay really enjoyed interacting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren enormously. She spent time as a babysitter in support of their parents, helped with birthday parties and put together many wonderful holiday dinners. She looked forward to their visits with much anticipation!

Her love of cooking and baking delicious homemade food will forever be a part of our lives as she taught us many of her skills. She loved spending time in her gardens, both vegetable and flower. In the summer, she could be found sitting quietly outdoors just listening to the sounds of nature. In recent years, she has purchased many new houseplants, bringing the outdoors in with us. She always enjoyed a poinsettia at Thanksgiving, an amaryllis at Christmas and an Easter Lily in the spring. Orchids were a particular favorite of hers.

Kay enjoyed macrame, jewelry making and sewing as well. She entered a macrame side table and a hanging lamp in the fair, both of which she won awards for. Fred made earring racks for her to display her goods on at craft fairs. She made fuzzy puppets to entertain the children, as well as some clothing. In later years, Kay volunteered for several years working in the back room at the Hospice of North Idaho Thrift Store on Fourth Street.

In closing, we would like to invite you to share a memory, a plate of food and a refreshment following the service at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on July 26 at 1 p.m.

We request no flowers, please. If you would like to make a donation to Hospice of North Idaho or your favorite charity, it would be appreciated.