Life Story for Kay Ward
Kay Mikel Ward, age 84, of Hastings passed away after cancer surgery complications with family by her side on Sunday, July 28th, 2019 at Spectrum Health North in Grand Rapids, MI.
Kay was born at her home in Lansing, MI on December 29th, 1934, the daughter of the late Robert and Katherine “Tilly” Tilburt. She was raised in Nashville MI, and attended school there.
Kay was the wife of the late Leon A. “Bud” Ward. The couple were married on October 10, 1951 and began their lives together in the Battle Creek area. They moved to Hastings in 1954 where they raised their family together and were married 62 years before Bud passed away in 2014.
Kay worked as a maid in a motel in Hastings and then for V&S Hardware which later became True Value Hardware. Kay enjoyed the relationships made with many of her co-workers and customers there. After retiring, she also worked at HELP Hardware, helping out her family.
Kay had many hobbies, but one of her favorite things to do was camping in Ludington. She and Bud camped there most weekends in the summer, while Bud was salmon fishing on Lake Michigan. They hosted the family anytime they showed up, and made many great memories there. Kay also enjoyed reading romance novels, going to craft and antique shows, league bowling, Super Bowl parties with her closest friends, and being a host any time there was a family event. When Kay was younger, she was a great trap shooter, acquiring trophies in that sport. Kay collected playing cards from all over the world, snowmen, Indian figurines and trinkets, and pink depression glass. Kay attended Nashville Baptist Church and enjoyed southern gospel quartets, her favorite being the Bass singers.
Kay is survived by three daughters, Katherine Payiva of Avon Park, FL, Christine (Nathan) Bolthouse of Hastings, MI, Patricia (Richard) Bouwman of Comstock Park, MI, and son, Michael (Vickie) Ward of Dowling, MI. Also, five grandchildren, Amy Tyner, Jill (Mark) Hewitt, Anthony Bolthouse, Benjamin (Stephanie) Bolthouse, and Andrea (Kenneth) Lampart, and twelve great grandchildren Karley, Hunter, Colvin, Matt, Carter, Rachael, Braden, Kaylee, Kristin, Kaitlin, Dustin and Kathrin. Kay is survived by three siblings, Roberta Douglas, Robert (Thelma) Tilburt, and Jon (Carolyn) Tilburt, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Marlene Bruce and Betsy Solomi, siblings-in-law Bill Bruce, Sam Solomi, Bruce Douglas, Joan & Albert McGinn, and Joyce & Jim Glyshaw. Also, her beloved Shih Tzu Brandy and Jasper who were always on her lap or at her feet.
Funeral Services will be held at Nashville Baptist Church in Nashville, MI at 1 PM on Saturday, August 3rd with Pastor Lestor DeGroot officiating. The family will receive visitors beginning at 11 AM at Nashville Baptist Church located on Phillips St. A luncheon will be served immediately following the funeral service at the Church. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Hastings after the luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the family, (checks made payable to 5/3 Bank, Kay Ward) which will be designated for burial expenses, or to Matt & Barb Douglas, missionaries in Australia, at: ABWE PO Box 8585 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585, Missionary #11032-001. Matt is Kay’s nephew.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net
Kay was born at her home in Lansing, MI on December 29th, 1934, the daughter of the late Robert and Katherine “Tilly” Tilburt. She was raised in Nashville MI, and attended school there.
Kay was the wife of the late Leon A. “Bud” Ward. The couple were married on October 10, 1951 and began their lives together in the Battle Creek area. They moved to Hastings in 1954 where they raised their family together and were married 62 years before Bud passed away in 2014.
Kay worked as a maid in a motel in Hastings and then for V&S Hardware which later became True Value Hardware. Kay enjoyed the relationships made with many of her co-workers and customers there. After retiring, she also worked at HELP Hardware, helping out her family.
Kay had many hobbies, but one of her favorite things to do was camping in Ludington. She and Bud camped there most weekends in the summer, while Bud was salmon fishing on Lake Michigan. They hosted the family anytime they showed up, and made many great memories there. Kay also enjoyed reading romance novels, going to craft and antique shows, league bowling, Super Bowl parties with her closest friends, and being a host any time there was a family event. When Kay was younger, she was a great trap shooter, acquiring trophies in that sport. Kay collected playing cards from all over the world, snowmen, Indian figurines and trinkets, and pink depression glass. Kay attended Nashville Baptist Church and enjoyed southern gospel quartets, her favorite being the Bass singers.
Kay is survived by three daughters, Katherine Payiva of Avon Park, FL, Christine (Nathan) Bolthouse of Hastings, MI, Patricia (Richard) Bouwman of Comstock Park, MI, and son, Michael (Vickie) Ward of Dowling, MI. Also, five grandchildren, Amy Tyner, Jill (Mark) Hewitt, Anthony Bolthouse, Benjamin (Stephanie) Bolthouse, and Andrea (Kenneth) Lampart, and twelve great grandchildren Karley, Hunter, Colvin, Matt, Carter, Rachael, Braden, Kaylee, Kristin, Kaitlin, Dustin and Kathrin. Kay is survived by three siblings, Roberta Douglas, Robert (Thelma) Tilburt, and Jon (Carolyn) Tilburt, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Marlene Bruce and Betsy Solomi, siblings-in-law Bill Bruce, Sam Solomi, Bruce Douglas, Joan & Albert McGinn, and Joyce & Jim Glyshaw. Also, her beloved Shih Tzu Brandy and Jasper who were always on her lap or at her feet.
Funeral Services will be held at Nashville Baptist Church in Nashville, MI at 1 PM on Saturday, August 3rd with Pastor Lestor DeGroot officiating. The family will receive visitors beginning at 11 AM at Nashville Baptist Church located on Phillips St. A luncheon will be served immediately following the funeral service at the Church. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Hastings after the luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the family, (checks made payable to 5/3 Bank, Kay Ward) which will be designated for burial expenses, or to Matt & Barb Douglas, missionaries in Australia, at: ABWE PO Box 8585 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585, Missionary #11032-001. Matt is Kay’s nephew.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net