Kay Ronspies

Dates

Obituary

Kay Ronspies, 72, of Mitchell, SD, went to her heavenly home Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at her home under hospice care with family by her side. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 AM Saturday, June 3, at St. Paul The Apostle Catholic Church in Armour with a visitation one hour prior to Mass. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Kay Ronspies was born February 14, 1950, to Earl and Hilda (Fuerst) Mills in Parkston, SD. Kay went to three different country schools before attending Armour High School, graduating in 1968. Kay always spoke of her happy childhood. She had many farm pets, from a pet hen, Rosa, to a ewe sheep, Susie, but her most loved pets were her cats. She always helped her mom with chores after school. They didn’t have much, but always raised their own food and had an abundance of love.

Kay married Paul Ronspies on November 23, 1968. The couple made their home near Armour, SD. Kay worked at Colonial Manor Nursing Home for several years and many part-time jobs, until moving in 1985 to Dallas, SD, where she managed Rainbow Ranch until 1996. They then moved to Hawarden where Kay worked at a couple different factories. She later attended Bio Chi Institute to become a licensed massage therapist.

Kay loved crocheting rag rugs for wedding gifts and such. She loved being outside in her flower and vegetable garden. In 2020, Kay moved to Mitchell to be closer to family. She loved all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and made crocheted blankets for all of them. Kay was especially grateful to her daughter, Tracy, for the days, months, and miles she put in to be with her mother during her cancer battle. She also grateful to those who accompanied her to the many Mayo appointments. She appreciated everyone who gave their time and love during her illness. Her smile always showed her caring and loving spirit.

Kay is survived by her children, Troy (Pam) Ronspies of St. George, UT and Tracy (Aaron) Daniel of Lincoln, MT; 8 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; sister, Charlene (Vern) Gerlach; sisters-in-law, Lavonne Mills and Bonnie Mills Prince; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; her parents; brother, Richard Mills; nephew, Blasé Ronspies; niece, Diana Hohn; sister-in-law, Barbara Wieczorek; and brother-in-law, Jeff Lewis.

Kay’s Grandchildren’s Favorite Memories

“My favorite memory with grandma is being in the kitchen making caramels and having her tell me all about her childhood.” -Katie

“I have so many memories with my Grandma Kay but one I hold very close to my heart was painting the propane tank together. We would spend the majority of our summers in Hawarden, Iowa. I always looked forward to those visits growing up. I loved helping my grandma in the garden, grocery shopping for Walter, watering her flowers and drawing her chalk pictures on the sidewalk. My grandma always loved the pictures I made for her so when I showed up to the farm one summer and she gave me a brand new paint set and asked me to paint her propane tank, I was ecstatic. We spent a whole evening painting and visiting. She told me stories about her growing up and how she would dress up and play with baby goats as a little girl. She also told me so many stories about her parents, (my great-grandparents) I felt like I knew them. I loved my grandma so much that I had a hard time “sharing” her. I would make her sleep with me while I visited. She would rub my back and read to me until I fell asleep. She really made our visits together so special. I truly had the best grandma a girl could ask for and I’ll forever cherish our memories. I’ll forever be my Grandmas Ali Kay” -Ali

“About 6 years ago, I was working in Maryland. I had nothing but car issues while i was there. I wanted to come home for the holidays and  wanted to come see family on my way home. I barely had enough money to get home. I went to go see grandma for about 5 days and while i was there my engine wasn't sounding right. Grandma Kay took me to a mechanic she trusted and they told me there was an excessive amount of metal shavings in my engine and they had never seen a working engine have so much and still work! They cleaned up the engine as much as they could. I didn't have the money to pay the shop for their work and grandma kay paid for the work they had done for me without thinking about it.. It was a very selfless act she did and I'll never forget her doing that for me.” -Casey

“My memory of grandma is being out at the farm in Iowa and always having her cooking up some delicious food like monster cookies, zucchini bread, and banana bread, and how she kept so busy tending to all her plants and her gardens. I also remember how she would always listen to whatever I had say and I loved her distinctive laugh.” -Hunter

“My most fond memory is her making Oreo cake for my birthday.” – Braxton

“The memory I hold closest to my heart is when my grandma would pick me up from elementary school, and we would bake together. Baking was something she really like to do, and it was something I always looked forward to doing after school with her.” -McKaela

Visitation(s)

Service