Kathleen J. King, 72, of Clear Lake, Iowa, died Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 13, 2016, at the church, with a Scriptural Wake Service beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Memorials may be given to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake, Iowa, Mercy Medical Center, Mason City, Iowa, and the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Rochester, Minnesota.

Kay was born in Fargo, North Dakota on Nov. 9, 1943, the youngest daughter of William J. and Margaret (Mooney) Leary. The family moved to the Northrup King Research Farm in Eden Prairie, Minnesota in 1946. In 1957, her family was transferred to Moorhead, Minnesota where she attended Moorhead State Campus High School. Kay received a B.S. in Elementary Education from Moorhead State University.

Kay then taught sixth grade in the Anoka Hennepin School District. Kay met her husband Bud (L.J.) and they were married at St. Stephan’s Catholic Church in Anoka, Minnesota. After the birth of their first son, John, they moved to Owatonna, Minnesota, where Kay substitute taught at the public schools and also taught Religious Education at Sacred Heart Church. Kay and Bud were blessed by the birth of their second son, Patrick.

In 1971, Bud was transferred to Clear Lake. They lived in Mason City for one year before moving to Clear Lake in 1972. During the time spent living in Clear Lake, Kay was a Teacher’s Associate at Central School. Both of their sons graduated from Clear Lake Community Schools.

Kay’s faith played a very important part in her life. She taught Religious Education, served on the Board of Education as well as Chairman of the Board of Education at St. Patrick’s. She was Chairperson on both the Parish Council and the Finance Committee. Kay was the first female trustee in the Archdiocese of Dubuque. Along with her husband, Bud, they either chaired or co-chaired St. Patrick’s Annual Auction for many years.

Kay’s hobbies included golfing in her younger years, reading, knitting and travel. Her favorite pastime was enjoying cards and lunching with the “Lunch Bunch” at the Half Moon.

Kay is survived by her beloved husband, Bud; two sons, John (Beth) King of Houston, Texas and Patrick (Martha) King of Waukee, Iowa; four grandchildren, Sarah of Houston, Texas, and Will, Alex and Colin of Waukee, Iowa; brothers John of Green Valley, Arizona, and James (Gail) of Bismarck, North Dakota, and sisters E. Ann Hoover of Berkeley, California, and M. Jane Hansen of Irvine, CA; cousin Cathryn Rogers; In-laws Ernie (Rosemary) King of Austin, Minnesota, Maryann Heimer of Adams, Minnesota, Evy (Chuck) Bimberg, Bernette Willenbring, Bernice (John) Horn all of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Bill (Cathy) King, Nisswa, Minnesota. Diane (Gary) Christie of Rochester, Minnesota, and 23 nieces and nephews and many grandnieces and grandnephews.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, brother Thomas Leary, brother-in-law Norman Hansen Jr., sisters-in-law Norma Leary, Gertrude (LaVerne) Heimer, four nephews, two grandnieces and one grandnephew.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 14, 2016, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1001 Ninth Ave. S., Clear Lake, with Rev. John Gossman officiating and Msgr. Joseph Slepicka, Msgr. John Hemann, and Deacon Matt Berry concelebrating. Inurnment will be in Clear Lake Cemetery.