Kay Fehringer

Kathleen Ann (Kay) Fehringer, 90, passed away early Monday morning, March 21, 2016, at Miller Memorial Care Center in Chappell. Kay was a long-time resident of Chappell and will be remembered for her family, her art, and her involvement in her church and community.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 24, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Chappell with Father Matt Koperski officiating. Interment will be at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, in the Greenwood Cemetery in Sidney.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Holechek Funeral Home in Chappell. A Christian Wake service will be held Wednesday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Kay's name to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Chappell.

You can view the online obituary and share condolences with the family at http://www.holechekfuneralhomes.com

Kay Fehringer was born Oct. 19, 1925 to James and Josephine Mohatt at their farm west of Sidney, Nebraska, the third of six children. She was originally named Catherine, but everyone called her Kathleen or Kay, and she eventually changed her first name to Kathleen. She attended country school near Sidney, walking to school each day, and she often told about being in school during the terrible storms of the Dust Bowl. She attended St. Patrick's high school in Sidney, staying with families in Sidney and walking 10 blocks to and from school. She graduated from high school (as Salutatorian) in May of 1943. Kay took piano lessons all through high school and later taught piano and played the piano and organ for many years.

After graduating from high school, Kay worked at the Sidney telephone company for six months and at Sioux Army Depot from 1944 to 1946, helping with World War II efforts and saving money to go to college. She attended college at Kearney State Teacher's College for one year, working at two part-time jobs and studying bookkeeping and nutrition, which she practiced on her family the rest of her life. She also made life-long friends with a group of girls at college. They called their group the Fab Five, and they helped each other raise their families and corresponded the rest of their lives. After college, Kay worked at the Extension Office in Sidney before meeting her future husband, Jerry Fehringer, at the wedding of her older sister, Margaret. Kay and Jerry were married Sept. 23, 1948.

Kay and Jerry had eight children (Daniel, Dale, Raymond, Anne, Ralph, John, Joseph, and Edwin) and Kay dedicated many years to their well-being. Her marriage, family, church, and community were the most important aspects of her life.

After Kay's family was raised she gave piano lessons to Chappell children, worked at Farmer's Elevator in Chappell, worked part-time at the nursing home, delivered meals to sick and elderly people, studied art, played the organ at church, square danced (for 21 years), travelled, witnessed her children's marriages and families, and participated in several organizations and clubs in the Chappell area. Jerry became ill shortly after the turn of the century and Kay dedicated her life to caring for him, eventually visiting him daily in the nursing home. After his death, Kay enjoyed time with her children and grandchildren and remained an active member of her church and community.

Kay loved Jerry, her family, the town she spent her adult life in, and her country. Her family and friends knew her for her gentle nature, her dedication to her family, church, and community, and for being a kind and loyal friend to everyone.

Kay is survived by her children: Dan (Kathy) Fehringer of Reston, Va., Dale (Patty) Fehringer of San Francisco, Calif., Ray (Deb) Fehringer of Omaha, Anne (Buzz) Williams of Lincoln City, Ore., Ralph (Paula) Fehringer of Denton, John (Eva) Fehringer of Fremont, Calif., and Joe (Susan) Fehringer of Lincoln; and by five grandchildren: William, Eric, Micaela, Ian and James. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters (Margaret, Rita, Patricia, and Teresa), her brother James, and her son, Edwin.

Kay's family wishes to express their appreciation to Nancy Jones for her care and friendship, and to the wonderful and kind nursing staff at Miller Memorial Care Center for caring for Kay during her final months.

Holechek Funeral Home and Cremations in Chappell is serving the Fehringer family.