Catherine "Kay" Stunz Utke

June 27, 1930 - March 30, 2021

Catherine “Kay” Utke passed away peacefully on March 30th, at home surrounded by loved ones. Her mind was sharp, but her heart was tired and she knew it was time for her to go home. Kay Stunz was born in Miami, Arizona on June 27, 1930 to Carl and Lennie Stunz. She often said she had an idyllic childhood growing up in a small town. Kay excelled in tennis and journalism at Miami H.S. She went on to study at U of A in Tucson where she got her Bachelor’s Degree in Business. While at U of A, Kay met the love of her life, Ron Utke on a blind date. He was looking for a “cute sophisticated senior”. She told her friend “If I don’t like what I see, I am going to walk right out the front door of the Kappa house”. Kay and Ron were soulmates for more than 70 years, and would have celebrated their 68th Anniversary in June. While raising their three children, Susie, Ron and Nancy; Kay became what she liked to be referred to as a “Professional Community Service Volunteer”. Starting with Susie and Nancy’s Brownie troops, she became a lifelong Girl Scout and served as President of the Arizona Cactus Pine Girl Scout Council from 1971 – 1975. She presided over hundreds of adult leaders and thousands of girl scouts. She was president of almost everything she was involved with, including both Mesa CC and White Mountain CC WGA’s and she sang in Lutheran church choirs for 57 years. Kay: Matriarch, mother, GMA, GGMA, friend, mentor, wife, life partner, fashionista, backpacker, tennis player, golfer (with 3 holes in one), writer, poet, Sassy Singer and Sweet Swinger, patron of the Phoenix Symphony and Santa Fe Opera, world traveler, river rafter, Elder,card shark, influencer, Maybe, night owl, piano & guitar player, matchmaker, acute listener, counselor and nature lover who possessed an amazing “green thumb”. These experiences formed Kay’s life affirmations by creating a warm, loving and positive environment in her family, church and community. This enriched her life. Kay was a huge influence on many lives and was a blessing to everyone who knew her. She was a force and will be greatly missed. Kay was pre-deceased by her parents, sister, brother and her son, Ron Utke II. She is survived by her loving husband Ron, daughters Susie (George) and Nancy (Mike) Holyoke; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The family would like to thank Hospice of the Valley for their phenomenal care for Kay during her final days. Due to CoVid constrictions, the service will be attended by family only at 2pm on May 1st at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church. For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed on You Tube @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChyxljPiSzZIOobN6iFuXIw. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to Hospice of the Valley 1510 E. Flower St. Phoenix, AZ 85014 www.hov.org Ph: 602-530-6992 OR Arizona Cactus Pine Girl Scout Council 119 E Coronado Road, Phoenix, AZ 85004 www.girlscoutsaz.org/en/give/donate.html.