Kay A. Wright

Kay A. Wright, 73, of La Crosse, died on Monday, December 8, 2014 at the Bethany Riverside Nursing Home in La Crosse where she resided for the last seven months. She was born on December 3, 1941 in La Crosse to Ellerd and Marjorie (Cheney) Spildie. She married Jim Wright on August 29, 1959 and they had three children together. They later divorced. Kay shared her remaining years with her companion Roger Latshaw.
Kay was a very hard worker and committed herself to her job. The most recent employment being with UW-L Food Service as a “Lunch Lady” which she did for about fifteen years until her retirement in 2009.
Many memories were made through four generations of family and friends sharing good times at the family cottage on Lake Pepin. Kay loved cooking, baking, gardening, and would be the first one to show up for anyone who needed a room painted. She would come prepared with her own supplies and dressed in the paint covered clothes that showed many color choices throughout the years. She was also able to put together a poem for special occasions for all of us to enjoy. Kay was a true Packer fan and enjoyed annual road trips with Roger to watch Packer training camp along with occasional bus trips to games at Lambeau. Due to her illness Kay has not been able to enjoy any of those favorite past times for a few years.
The Dementia/Alzheimers took her from us a few years ago, but this woman was a pleasant, strong, independent, content person through every phase of the journey. We shared her last days in comfort and peace.
Kay is survived by two daughters, Sherri (Jeff) Preeshl and Cathi (friend Mike Dagendesh) Pederson, one son Erik (Jenny) Wright, six grandchildren, Nathan (Lacey) Baum, Brad Preeshl, Abbey (fiancé Andrew Harlos) Pederson, Andrea Pederson, and Jesse and Jaycee Wright, two great-grandchildren, Ruby and Ian, a sister Karen (Les) Johnson, a brother David (Nancy) Spildie, her special niece and nephew Jodi and Greg and their families, along with her special friend Roger. She was preceded in death her parents and an infant son Steven James Wright.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, December 12, 2014 at 1:00 PM at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services of Onalaska, 907 Sand Lake Road. Pastor Scott Skogen will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 12:00 Noon until the time of services. Memorials may be given to the Lighthouse at Bethany Riverside Nursing Home, or the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, 2500 Overlook Terrace D4211, Madison, WI 53705.