Kathleen Spawn

Kathleen (Kay) Doris Murphy Spawn died quietly in her sleep at Poplar Living Center on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at the age of 101. Kay was born on the prairie of North Dakota near Haynes on August 11, 1913 in a line shack. She was the oldest daughter and third of the eight children born to Levi Harrison and Clara Emma Richardson Murphy. Later the family moved to a Sod house on the homestead where Harry registered his claim. The family moved to several places in North Dakota before settling in South Dakota near Bixby. Kay loved being outside riding Calves when her parents weren't home, picking up cow pies to burn in the cook stove, cutting off part of her finger while helping her brother fix the windmill or being pulled out of a caved in tunnel while playing or trying to cross the river and falling off a homemade boat. One of the things she enjoyed the most for her whole life was flowers. Prior to meeting Herman Spawn on July 2, 1938 (a widower with two children, Elsie Beth 3 years old and Stanley Irvin 6 months), Kay worked as a hired girl for several families in Faith, SD. Herman and Kay were married the following spring on June 17, 1939. Kay quickly settled into her new role of wife and mother to Beth and Stanley who loved and adored her for the remainder of their loves. They made their home in Faith, South Dakota for the first years of their lives together and soon welcomed a son Milo in May of 1941. Shortly after the newest arrival, the family moved to Casper, Wyoming in search of better employment opportunities. Kay went to work as a dishwasher at the Chili King Restaurant, later at the Red and White Motel and in her spare time took in laundry. They both enjoyed dancing and they frequently drove from Casper to Edgemont, South Dakota to go to a Dance. The youngest of their four children, Sharon (Sherry) arrived in 1946, thus completing their family. Kay retired from Housekeeping Department at the Wyoming Medical Center after 20 years of service. She and Herman traveled the United States for several years. In 1989, Kay was diagnosed with breast cancer and chose surgery over chemotherapy treatments or radiation. She lost her husband Herman in the spring of 1992 after 53 years of marriage. Following his death, she continued to live a full and active life. She enjoyed watching her Rockies and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play baseball, gardening, baking and spending time with her growing family. She is preceded in death by her husband, two children Beth and Stan Spawn all of her siblings, all of her cousins and a great grand-daughter Miranda Kegler. For a woman who never wanted children, she left quite a legacy. She is survived by a large family, son Milo (Chloe) Spawn and daughter Sharon (David) Taylor, grandchildren Christina Spawn, Janice (Marc) Dunn, Dana (Robert) Curtis, Jana (Francis) Kegler, Ginny (Ken) Carter, Erica Spawn, Michael (Samantha) Spawn, James (Laura) Spawn, Theresa (Al) Dew, twenty-seven great-grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. Memorial services for Kathleen will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 11, 2015 at Bustard's Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Adams officiating. Inurnment will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to breast cancer research.

Service

Saturday, July 11, 2015 11:00am

Bustard's Funeral Home

600 CY Avenue

Casper, Wyoming 82601