A Celebration of Life for 86-year old Kay Smith will be held Wed, Nov 22, 2023 at 10:00 at Pier Funeral Home in Lusk, WY,
It will be followed by a reception at the Elks Lodge in Lusk.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Niobrara Senior Center, 611 E 7th St., Lusk, WY 82225.
Online condolences may be left at luskmortuary.com
Kay Lynn (Morgan) Smith was born February 1, 1937, in Lusk, WY to Paul and Betty (Webb) Morgan, the first of 3 daughters born into this union. She passed away peacefully in Sterling, CO, on November 15, 2023, and now dances among angels in Heaven.
Kay grew up on a farm, worked at the local soda fountain as a teenager, graduated high school in 1955, and married Bill Smith that same year. They made their home in Lusk and had three sons; Brett, Dave and Bruce.
Eventually, Bill and Kay bought the Covered Wagon Motel in Lusk, where she managed the business, three rambunctious boys, and lots of her sons’ friends who thought of the motel as a second home.
After the boys graduated high school, Bill and Kay moved to Cheyenne, where they divorced in 1986.
Kay then moved to Fort Collins, CO, where she became a travel agent and had a successful banking career. After retiring she moved to Torrington, WY, to be closer to family members and friends she helped care for.
Kay enjoyed traveling, time spent with grandchildren, and playing cards with friends who lived in neighboring communities. After suffering several strokes, she was lovingly cared for at Goshen Healthcare Community in Torrington and Devonshire Acres in Sterling, CO. Her humor and positive attitude never left her, and she was adored by her caregivers.
She commented recently that she was blessed to grow up in a small Wyoming town and never thought she would travel the world like she was able to do. Traveling to places like Alaska, Panama Canal, Israel, Europe, Spain, Morocco, and other destinations gave her such joy.
Her greatest achievement in life was her family and she relished hosting family events, especially “Smithmas” – a time during the holidays when everyone came to her house for food, games, laughter, photos, gifts and making memories.
Kay was a lifelong caregiver, always addressing others’ needs and wants before her own. She was selfless in the gift of her time and talents. She had quick humor and a mischievous side that made her even more endearing.
Kay is survived by her sons Dave (Julie) and Bruce (Pam); daughter-in-law Eliana; grandchildren Adam (Brandee), Megan, Alyssa (Dustin), Tori (Jeremiah), Landon, Rivkah (Akiva), Brent (Alicia) and Bradley; 9 great-grandchildren; sisters Sandra (Fletcher) and Bonnie; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son Brett (aka Baruch), grandson Sean and brother-in-law Duane.