Kay Ellen (Belknap) Troutner

On Sunday, October 11, 2020, Kay Ellen (Belknap) Troutner attained her wings. She was 81 years old.

Kay and her twin sister Karen were born on September 3 in Mason City, Iowa to Marion and Marian (Marsh) Belknap. The younger sisters of Francis, they grew up on a small farm outside of Greene, Iowa. Kay attended Greene Schools, and after graduation attended school at Humboldt Institute where she obtained a diploma in Airline and Business Training. This allowed her to join the workforce as a clerk typist, eventually moving into the role of secretary/receptionist. Her training allowed her to work in a variety of locations, including Des Moines, Iowa City and Charles City.

In 1969, she met Franklin Guy Troutner, and in July of 1970 they married in a private ceremony attended by her twin sister Karen, and her brother-in-law Noel Mizell. After a honeymoon in Wisconsin, they settled on the Troutner farm in Nashua. Soon, they were raising three girls, Tricia, Teria and Tina. Kay truly enjoyed her work as a mother, and was always available to help with school trips, after-school activities and cheering on her daughters at school events. This work encompassed being a volunteer troop leader for the Girl Scouts in addition to helping with swim lessons and always being available to give a ride. Kay also kept her family well fed with delicious cinnamon rolls and scrumptious homemade pies.

Every summer, Kay helped pack the family for weekend camping trips across the state of Iowa, and no trip was ever complete without a stop at the local cemetery, library or bookstore for Kay to work on her favorite hobby of researching the family history. Her daughters always laughed at the side trips, but everyone enjoyed supporting Kay and her work.

As the girls grew older, Kay began to fill her time taking courses in leadership, medical terminology, computer skills, nursing assistance and tax preparation. She did return to the workforce as a bookkeeper before retiring with her husband. Retirement allowed Kay and Frank to embark on adventures both local and abroad, traveling with new and old friends on trips organized through the local bank. But, they always thought of their family and would bring pictures, stories and treasures back to share with their girls.

Retirement also offered another perk, which was to allow them to spend time with their grandson Matthew. Just like Kay had done with her daughters, she and Frank were now attending Matthew's after school activities, including watching as many of his wheelchair basketball games as possible. Nothing made Kay smile bigger than when she was watching or talking about her grandson.

Kay is survived by her husband, Franklin; her three daughters Tricia (Tim) Schultz, Teria (Ken) Craven and Tina Schmidt; one grandson, Matthew Schultz; her twin sister, Karen (Noel) Mizell; and her nieces and nephews, including Tammy Maygar and Todd Mizell. She was preceded in death by her father, Marion Belknap; her mother Marian (Belknap) Wood; her step-father, Gordon J. Wood; her brother, Francis Belknap; her brother-in-law Noel Mizell; and her son-in-law Jonathan Schmidt.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. with a private family service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to UNO Foundation for Wheelchair Basketball, c/o Mike Kult, 6323 Maverick Plaza, Omaha, NE 68182.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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