Lettie "Kay" Howard (nee Mathews), 81, passed away on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010.

Kay was born on April 3, 1929, to Lawrence and Lettie (nee Kyle) Mathews in Ashland. She married Leslie "Les" Howard on Sept. 10, 1949, in Ashland. The family moved to West Bend in 1958. Kay was a crossing guard on the intersection of 8th Avenue and Highway 33 for many years. She then went on to become a teacher’s aide at Barton Elementary for 17 years.

Kay lived a very active lifestyle. Not only was she was a 52-year member of Holy Angels Catholic Church, but she also volunteered much of her time at the Washington County Historical Society up until her illness and held a special place in her heart for both the West Bend Food Pantry and the Salvation Army. After her retirement in 1986, Les and Kay wintered in Lake Havasu, Ariz. She enjoyed bird watching, especially cardinals, and mastering the "one armed bandit!" Most importantly, she enjoyed her family and spent much time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Kay is survived by her husband, Les; children, Linda Kay (Thomas) Juech, Mike (Debbie) Howard and Kyle Howard; grandchildren, Katie (Brad) Reinke, Michelle (Derrick) Disterhaft and Jayson Howard, Jaymie Howard; grand-dog, Strakes; great-grandchildren, Kaden and Mason Disterhaft and Ben Reinke. Kay is further survived by her brother, Bill; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.

Kay is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Larry Mathews.

A Mass of Christian burial for Kay will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 6, at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 128 N. 8th Ave, West Bend, with the Rev. Gerald Brittain presiding. Gathering will be at the Phillip Funeral Home Chapel of West Bend on Friday, Nov. 5, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Interment will take place at Washington County Memorial Park.

Memorials are appreciated to Columns: The Les and Kay Howard Scholarship, P.O. Box 397, West Bend, WI 53095.

The Phillip Funeral Home of West Bend is assisting the family. www.phillipfuneralhome.com.

Kay’s family wishes to thank the staff at Cedar Crossings and St. Joseph's Hospital for their loving care and compassion.