Kay L. Stenzel

Kay Lorraine Stenzel passed away from this life to her heavenly home on January 19, 2023, with her daughters and granddaughter by her side.

Kay was born on September 15, 1941 to Mary Replogle and Lorain "Joe" Fleagle in Stryker, Ohio. She was the oldest of four daughters. After high school graduation, Kay attended Defiance College with a degree in Early Child Development. She was living and teaching in Mentor, Ohio when she met the love of her life, Robert Stenzel, whom she later married. Bob and Kay settled in Waterville, Ohio where they raised four children together and grew deep roots in the community.

Kay had many hobbies and interests. In the 1970’s she was the director of the Waterville Park Program where she earned the title “Sarge” from her staff. She was also very involved in 4-H, being a club leader for her daughter’s and again for her granddaughter, Tysen. She also was on the 4-H Fair Board and could be found most summers in the 4-H Café, which she ran. She loved going to businesses for their sponsorship and corralling her friends and her daughters' friends into volunteering at the Café. Kay was also a longtime parishioner of St Joseph Catholic Church in Maumee, Ohio. For several years she taught catechism to adults with special needs.

In the early 1980’s, Kay returned to BGSU to complete her education and earned a B.S. in Special Education. This allowed her to teach at the Maumee Youth Center, which was her dream job. She loved her students and co-workers and would go out of her way to help them in anyway. She taught her "kids" the importance of kindness and service to their community. She worked there for 25 plus years until retirement. Even after retirement she continued to volunteer for 4-H and Queen of Apostles School, where she was known as “Grandma Kay”.

Kay is survived by her son Bill (Verna) and daughters Lisa (Charlie) Phillips, Lora Stenzel and Vicki Stenzel; grandchildren Tysen Kay Stenzel, Macksen Robert Stenzel and Maysen Ruby Stenzel. She also leaves her three sisters Patricia (Donnie) Chamberlain, Sally (Bob) Davis and Connie (Walt) Iler. Her kids, grandkids, family and friends were the light of her life. Bob and Kay were married 53 years and he preceded her in death.

The family will receive guests at Maison-Dardenne-Walker Funeral Home on January 26, 2023 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held the next day on Friday January 27, 2023 at 11 a.m.