Mary Kathryn "Kay" O'Neill

Mary Kathryn “Kay” Tuttle O’Neill, 77, passed away Friday, March 15, 2013, at Mercy Medical Center.

Kay was born October 5, 1935, in Helena, Montana. She attended grade school and high school in Billings, Montana. Following graduation, she attended St. Mary College in Leavenworth, Kansas, where she earned a two-year teaching certificate and taught grade school. Kay then returned to Montana and graduated from Eastern Montana College in Billings. In December of 1957, Kay was with her childhood friend at the J Bar T Country Western Lounge when she met the love of her life, Edwin O’Neill. They were married on June 20, 1959. They had two children while Ed was in the Air Force, sons Brian and Shawn. Upon Ed’s completion of his military service, the couple moved to Des Moines, and daughter, Erin, and son, Tim were born.

For many years Ed and Kay were members of Visitation Catholic Church. Kay worked very hard to keep the church and school strong. She served as president of the school board and also on the board of the diocese. She chaired eight fall dinners to raise funds for the church and school, which are still open today. She was greeted as “Hey, Hey, Mama Kay” by many of kids who considered her to be their second mom.

Kay is survived by her husband of 53 years, Edwin; sons, Shawn (Jennifer) of Des Moines, and Tim (Laney) of Federal Way, WA; daughter, Erin (Richard) Stoen of Johnston; daughter-in-law, Paula O’Neill of Des Moines; eleven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and her cousin, Bob Andrews. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her son, Brian O’Neill.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 21, 2013, at Visitation Catholic Church, 1271 E. 9th Street, followed by burial at 12:30 p.m., at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., with the Rosary recited at 7 p.m., Wednesday, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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