Kathryn Jelinek

Kay Jelinek was born in 1935 to Walter and Isabelle Kardas in Elgin, Illinois, the middle child of three. She grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois. It was from her father that she learned to love the game of golf, and made it her lifelong sport, achieving three holes in one. Mom also loved kayaking, canoeing, tennis, and downhill skiing. Kay attended nurses training in Peoria and did her internship of psychiatric training in Elgin Mental Health Center. Kay worked on the psychiatric ward in the Deaconess and then joined the Mental Health Center for 19 years. She was proud of her long nursing career, her contribution to educating the community on mental health, and the many clients she served. Kay was ahead of her time. She liked to be out in front leading the band, and one of her stylish trends was wearing hats, this slight shopping habit might have led to UPS asking her to pave the road to the house. Kay had many hobbies, photography, jewelry crafting, cutting gemstones, mahjong, and reading. She was a frequent visitor of thrift stores intent on finding items to fill the various buildings on the property, thus avoiding being an episode on Hoarders. She was an avid supporter of local business and the local community. Kay's favorite street in Great Fall was 4th Avenue North. She had recently had taken many afternoon drives down that street enjoying the fall colors. Kay would like to be remembered for fun times. Her philosophy was cooking and cleaning were not a life well spent. Leftovers were her favorite recipe. Kay and Don were married 65 years. During those years they enjoyed traveling together. Their last trip was to Peru to celebrate their anniversary. Kay is survived by her husband, Don; sister, Mary Lee; five children, Chris, Katie, Holly, Blaise, and Portia; and six lovely grandchildren. The family has asked that donations to be made to the American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/memorial-giving.html# in Kay’s honor.