Kay Louise Stukenholtz

Kay Louise Stukenholtz, age 80 of Perry, Iowa, passed away in her home on Saturday, August 19, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Perry. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 24, 2023, from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary held at 7:00 p.m. at the Carris Family Funeral Home & Cremation Care in Perry. Burial will be in the Violet Hill at Perry. Memorials will be given to the Raccoon River Pet Rescue and may be left at the Carris Family Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Kay was born in Nebraska City, Nebraska on May 3, 1943. She was the daughter of Neal and Helen Mulligan. Kay met the love of her life, Carl Stukenholtz, on her 15th birthday. That was just the beginning for this young couple. They were united in marriage three years later on August 26, 1961, in Columbus, Nebraska. Together they welcomed four children, Michael, Jean, Phillip, and Melissa. Kay stayed at home and cared for her growing family where she loved spending time in the kitchen, creating delicious meals for her family. She also enjoyed gardening, knitting and crocheting, and her favorite hobby, sewing. Kay worked at Perry State Bank for a number of years and was on the board of Spring Valley Retirement Center as well as Board Director of Exchange State Bank of Adair. She and Carl served in their local Parish at St. Patricks Catholic Church in various capacities. She had an uncanny ability to find happiness in her daily activities. Her pleasant personality was contagious to everyone she met. Kay took pleasure in designing and sending elaborate greeting cards for family and friends special occasions. Christmas was her favorite time of year and she always liked getting her handmade cards and letters sent out the first of December and then spent the rest of the month creating a quintessential Christmastime for her family that felt like that of a storybook. Throughout their many travels abroad, without a doubt, the first trip to Europe was Kays once in a lifetime experience. While visiting Vatican City they got to go to the Popes summer home and see Pope John Paul II step out onto his balcony to bless all in attendance. It was a memorable emotional moment for Kay. Kay was the heart of the home. She always made time for her family and was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. Her family asks that she be remembered for the joy she brought to others in life not the sadness of her passing. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of almost 62 years, Carl Stukenholtz; children: Mike and wife Lura Stukenholtz, Jean and husband Rick Hornsby, Phillip and wife Megan Stukenholtz, and Melissa Stukenholtz; grandchildren, Tyler Nance, Amber Stukenholtz, Amanda and husband Ben Joseph, Khrystyne and husband Nate MacDougall, Luke Stukenholtz, Caleb and wife Madelaine Hornsby, Sierra Stukenholtz, Anna Hornsby, Ava Stukenholtz, and Elijah Stukenholtz; great-grandchildren, Crew MacDougall, Kanynn MacDougall, Lincoln Stukenholtz, Cooper Stukenholtz, Ellie Hornsby, and Caitlin Hornsby. Kays brother Mike and his wife Vanora Mulligan, and her life-long dearest friend Sally Juliano, along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In death she rejoins her parents, Neal and Helen; sister, Betty Stapp; niece Lisa Archer, and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rollan and Walburga Stukenholtz. Mass Of Christian Burial Friday, August 25, 2023 10:30 AM St. Patrick's Catholic Church 1312 3rd St. Perry, IA 50220 Rosary Thursday, August 24, 2023 7:00 PM Carris Family Funeral Home & Cremation Care 1721 Park St Perry, IA 50220 Visitation Thursday, August 24, 2023 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM Carris Family Funeral Home & Cremation Care 1721 Park St Perry, IA 50220