Kay Marie (McDowell) Merrifield

Kay Marie (McDowell) Merrifield

December 31, 1943 – July 19, 2018

Kay McDowell was born December 31, 1943 in Smith Center, KS and passed away at the Josie Harper Hospice House on Thursday, July 19, 2018 in Omaha, NE. She grew up in the communities of Agra and Kirwin, KS where she graduated from Agra High School in 1961. Upon graduation, Kay attended Brown Mackie School of Business in Salina, KS. She married her husband, Gary on June 3, 1963 in Phillipsburg, KS. From that union, 3 children were born: Patrick Dean, Teresa Anne, and Michael Lynn.

Kay and Gary made their first home in Hays, KS where Gary attended Fort Hays Kansas State College until graduation in 1965. They then relocated to Kansas City, MO where they were both employed for several years before moving back to Glade, KS to start farming. While raising her family, Kay worked outside the home as a school secretary and later at Farmer’s National Bank in Phillipsburg and Agra.

After their children were raised, a job opportunity with Walmart Transportation took them to Loveland, CO in 1995. While there, Kay worked for Hewlett-Packard and Albertson’s grocery store. Gary and Kay retired in 2012 and made their way to Nebraska to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Wilma, and brother Danny. She is survived by her husband, Gary; brothers, Gary McDowell and Mike McDowell (Kim); sons, Patrick Merrifield (Lib) and Michael Merrifield (Paige); daughter, Teresa Swanson (Mark); grandchildren: Kristen (Jeremy), Cassie, Keyton, Connor, London, Macy, Kindle and great-grandson, Lawkryn.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 28^th from 9:30am to 11:30am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 20500 W. Maple Rd. in Elkhorn, NE followed by MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL at 11:30am.  Memorials may be directed to the Nebraska Humane Society.