Elinor “Kay” Waltz (née Thompson), age 85, passed away on April 3, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa. She was born on December 7, 1940, in Cushing, Iowa. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 11, 2026 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel with Deacon Bruce Chartier officiating.  Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City.  Visitation, with family present, will begin at 9:00 a.m. Saturday morning at the funeral home prior to the service. Pallbearers for the service will be Amanda Zediker, Matthew Stuhrenberg, Drake Holder, Jardian Holder, Addi Huscher, Steven Huscher, Emma Huscher, and Ellie Barber.  Honorary PallBearer will be Nathan Barber.

Kay grew up in Hinton, Iowa, where she learned early the values of diligence and care—sewing her own clothes, babysitting younger children, and helping her father with bookkeeping in his blacksmith shop. These early experiences shaped a life marked by service, skill, and quiet generosity.

On June 6, 1959, she married Edward Waltz, and they shared 42 years of marriage until his passing in 2002. During the early years of their marriage, they lived in 18 different places in just two years as Ed worked across Iowa removing roadways by hand. They eventually settled in Sioux City, where they raised their four children. Their family life was active and full—serving as Scout leaders, participating as board members in a local square dance club, and enjoying many evenings playing cards and games with relatives and friends.

In her later years, Kay’s faith became an even deeper part of her daily life. She was faithful in her daily devotions and service to her church, especially through helping with funeral lunches. She also found happiness outdoors, tending her garden, canning hundreds of quarts of beans, cucumbers and tomatoes, as well as making homemade salsa, and caring for her beloved roses.

Kay found great joy in raising her family and extended that love far beyond her own home. Over the years, she cared for and influenced generations of children who have many of whom remained close to her and loved her deeply. She brought her signature cinnamon rolls and killer brownies to countless gatherings.

She had a lifelong passion for sewing, especially quilting—a gift she inherited from her mother. Her quilts became a treasured tradition, lovingly given to children, grandchildren, and friends’ children at meaningful moments throughout their lives. She taught many people to sew, and helped with even more sewing projects.

Kay remained active and engaged in her community, enjoying time with friends at aerobics classes, crocheting hats for newborns babies, and participating in church life up until her passing.

She is survived by her sister, Erma Hecht, and her brother, Eldon Thompson; and by her four children: Scott (June), with their three daughters and seven grandchildren; Teresa (Fred), with their two children; Janice (Paul); and Mark (Barb), with their four children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed; her close friend, Ward Orr; her parents, Earl and Esther Thompson; her sisters, Estella, Erlene, and Evalee; and her brother, Errol.

Kay will be deeply missed by all who knew her and remembered with gratitude for the love, care, whimsy, and beauty she brought into so many lives.