Dr. Kay Francis Reinartz died April 16, 2011, in Seattle, Wash., after a courageous battle with a malignant brain tumor.

Kay is the youngest daughter of five born to Martin and Alice Hansen Reinartz Jan. 30, 1939, in Rose Creek. She was a graduate of Rose Creek High School and furthered her education with a Master’s degree in American studies at the University of Minnesota and a PhD in American studies at the University of New Mexico. She taught at several universityies. She and her husband, Richard, settled in Seattle where she wrote five books on community and regional history. Kay was very active in 4-H and school activities during her school years. Kay, with Richard, loved to travel seeing many parts of the world, spelunkijng, hiking and mountain climbing, and more recetnly, ballroom dancing.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Richard Firth of Seattle; sisters, Ramona de Silvia of Fresno, Calif., and Doloroes Frank (Delos) of lyle; many nieces; nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Betty Jensen and Lavonne Reinartz. Memorial services are at a later date.