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Submitted: 7/4/21 • Approved: 7/6/21 • Last Updated: 7/9/21 • R272382-G272381-S3
Kay Adkins
September 1, 1944 - December 27, 2019
Kay Adkins, age 75 passed away on Friday, December 27, 2019 at her home surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 Thursday, January 2, 2019 at St. Therese Catholic Church in Sioux Falls. Visitation will be Wednesday, January 1, 2019 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory, Sioux Falls where the family will greet relatives and friends from 3:00-5:00 PM.
Kay was born on September 1, 1944 in Sioux Falls, SD to John and Florence (Even) Hanisch. She was raised and received her education in Sioux Falls attending Little Flower Catholic Elementary, Whittier Middle School and Washington High School where she graduated from in 1962.
Kay was united in marriage with Richard Adkins Jr. on June 14, 1963 in Pipestone, MN. The couple made their home in Sioux Falls and were blessed with five children, Ann, Wendy, Kelly, Peggy and Marty. In the early years of her marriage, Kay and Dick developed a passion for Archery, shooting both recreationally and competitively, so much so that Kay earned many state titles in Archery. Kay also enjoyed bowling and was in many leagues with her sisters-in-laws.
Dick and Kay felt very strongly that the mother belongs in the home raising their children. When Dick fell ill in the early 1980’s, Kay went to work outside the home for the first time to support her family. She first worked as a waitress then became employed with Bell Paper Box Company, Central Plains Clinic and Avera McKennan Behavioral Health Hospital until her retirement in 2013. When Kay was asked what she did at the hospital, she would always respond with “Brain Surgeon”. It was her great sense of humor that made her so lovable to so many people.
Dick passed away in 1994. Years later, Kay was then reunited with Jim Assid. Kay and Jim were middle school sweethearts until the death of Kay’s mother when she had to move to Seattle Washington briefly to live with her sister and her husband. This unfortunately resulted in Jim and Kay losing touch. But as fate would have it, Jim contacted her brother to inquire of her circumstance and asked her brother if he would forward his number to Kay. A few days later, Kay called Jim and from that call, true love rekindled and they have never been apart since. Kay and Jim enjoyed traveling all across the United States and especially Kay’s favorite spot, Monterey Beach California.
Kay’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her immense joy. She spent numerous hours on the softball fields, orchestra, band, choir performances and the archery range, making it a point to never miss any of them. Kay earned the loving nickname of “Old Man River” by her grandchildren, for a beta fish she owned about 15 years ago that lived in her kitchen. She will be missed for her sassy attitude, bigger than life personality, hearty laugh and her endless loving support of her family and friends.
Grateful for sharing her life is her first and last love, Jim Assid of Sioux Falls; daughters, Kelly (Michael) Steen of Sioux Falls, SD, Peggy (Todd) Anderson of Sisseton, SD; son, Marty Adkins of Colton, SD; grandchildren, Amy McGaa of Sioux Falls, Katie and Ashton Steen of Sioux Falls, Keith Husman of Sisseton, Molly (Jon) Stevens of Sioux Falls, Tanner, Logan, and Zach Adkins of Colton, Jenny and Jessy Feltis of Sioux Falls, Richard Bennett of Sioux Falls; eight great-grandchildren; sons-in-law, Dale Bennett and Frank Feltis of Sioux Falls; step-children, Anthony Assid of Camp Douglas, WI, Jamie Assid of Sioux Falls, Jim Assid Jr. of Williston, ND, and Skeet Assid of Sioux Falls; godchild, Shana Neumann of Bayport, MN; and a host of additional relatives and friends.
Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Adkins Jr., daughters, Ann Feltis and Wendy Bennett; siblings, Bob, Don, Dick, Jim, Ray, Jack, Terry Hanisch, Carol Keller, Shirley Badker, Debbie Peterson; and her parents, John and Florence (Even) Hanisch.
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Contributed on 7/4/21 by 9katz
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Record #: 272382