Kay F. Nolan

Kay F. Nolan (nee Nelsen) was called into God’s loving arms on Friday, September 27, 2019 at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, WI, surrounded by her loving family.

Kay is survived by Bob, her husband of almost 49 years and her beloved children – Tim (Julie) Nolan, Amy (Eric) DeWald, Lynn (Mike) Kane, and Lisa (Michael) Napieralski.  She will be deeply missed by her 11 cherished grandchildren:  Emily, Ryan, Carlin and Josephine Nolan, Gabriel, Anja and Samuel DeWald, Lexie, Zach and Jake Kane, and Dylan Napieralski.

She is further survived by her dear sister, Bonnie (Tom) Romano, and her sisters-in-law, Annette (the late Jim) Nolan and Donna (the late Charles) Peterson, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and countless precious friends.

Kay was born to the late Richard and Frances Nelsen on July 27, 1943 in Kenosha, WI, the oldest of two children.  She moved to Villa Park, IL while she was in elementary school and she graduated from Willowbrook High School.  She attended Northern Illinois University (NIU) and always loved working with numbers.

Kay met her husband, Bob, at a family anniversary party.   They were married on October 17, 1970 at Community Congregational Church in Villa Park, IL.  They would have celebrated their 49^th wedding anniversary in just a few weeks.  Kay and Bob lived in Kansasville, WI after they were married and then moved to New Berlin, WI where they raised their four children.  Kay joined Bob in the family business – Nolan Accounting Center – where she assisted Bob in creating a successful accounting and tax preparation business.

Kay was an active member of Holy Apostles Catholic Church in New Berlin, WI where she volunteered on various committees, including the church festival and the collection and distribution of Christmas gifts for the parish-wide Giving Tree.  She and Bob have been long-time members of the Holy Apostles VISTA Community – a community of faith, fellowship and family.  She also participated in the Holy Apostles St. Vincent de Paul Society delivering food baskets to those in need.

Kay was generous and devoted to her family and devout in her faith.  She was a mother or grandmother figure not just to her own children and grandchildren, but to all.  She was genuinely interested in what was happening in others lives and could keep track of the details like no other.  She was proud to attend countless scouting events, baseball, basketball, football and soccer games, swim meets and gymnastic meets, recitals, concerts, performances, graduations, Grandparent’s Days and special events for all of her children and grandchildren.  She loved to travel with family and friends, whether it was to visit a loved one, spend a weekend at the family trailer (“Up North”), sightsee across the USA, or travel internationally.  She has enjoyed road trips, guided tours, river cruises, and more.

Kay enjoyed playing cards and games, initially with her high school friends, and more recently her favorites have been Cribbage and Quiddler with Bob and other family members.  There was a challenge to see if anyone could ever beat her.  She also enjoyed gardening and any reason that brought family together for a meal.  She was always willing to prepare an apple pie, potato salad or “Aunt Kay’s beans” but truth-be-told, she was happiest hosting events for everyone at her house.

Kay’s beautiful life will be celebrated on Friday, October 4, 2019 with a visitation at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin, from 3:00 PM – 6:45 PM with a prayer vigil to follow at 7:00 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 1:00 PM, at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 16000 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin, with a burial immediately following.

The family would like to offer our sincere gratitude to all of the staff in the MICU at Froedtert Hospital for their compassionate care of Kay during the week preceding her death.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts in Kay’s honor be sent to Holy Apostles St. Vincent de Paul Society, 16000 W. National Avenue, New Berlin, WI  53151.