Karen “Kay” Sturtz, the daughter of Wallace Ray “W.R.” and Beulah (Chapman) Watkins, was born September 5, 1942, in Tarkio, Missouri. She attended Tarkio schools.
In 1968, Kay was united in marriage to Larry L. Sturtz and became the parents of three children, Sandy, Lorie, and Ron. They later divorced.
Kay was employed by Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care, Tarkio, as a Dietary Aide. She worked for 20 plus years, later retiring. She enjoyed playing Bingo and knitting. Kay especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Kay passed away Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Ambassador Health of Sidney, Sidney, Iowa, at the age of 82.
Besides her parents, Kay was preceded in death by her brother, Charlie Watkins. Survivors include children, Sandy (Leon) Noland, Tarkio, Lorie (Steve) Keithley, Omaha, Nebraska, and Ron (Isabel) Sturtz, Ledyard, Connecticut; grandchildren, Cody, Trenton, Brittany, Kendra, Sam, Ashley, Cole, Jacob, Vasco, Afonso, and Enzo; great grandchildren, Toby, Marki, Novah, Kobe, Tavon, Kaylee Abel, and Marlee; siblings, Bonnie Novy, Jim and John Watkins; numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Service: 3:00 P.M., Monday, June 23, 2025, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.
The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 P.M., Monday, prior to the service. There is no open visitation.
Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
Memorials: Kay Sturtz Memorial Fund.
Arrangements: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.
