Date of Birth:
Thursday, December 7, 1922
Date of Death:
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Age:
91 years old

Kathryn Ellison Van Cuyk

Kathryn Ellison Van Cuyk passed from this life into the next in the early morning hours of July 1, 2014.  Kay was born Kathryn Canfield in Kellogg, MN, on December 7, 1922.  She was one of six children of Walter and Teresa (Scott) Canfield.

Kay graduated from St. Felix High School in 1940 and went on to attend Winona State College (now University).  Shortly after Pearl Harbor (coincidentally her 19^th birthday), she dropped out of college and, with many other young women of her generation, went to Washington, DC to work in a secretarial pool with the intent of aiding the war effort.

While living in the East, Kay met W. Wayne Ellison, a young soldier from Philadelphia, PA. Kay and Wayne were married in 1943 at Fort Meade, MD, just before Wayne was shipped overseas.

After the war, Kay and Wayne settled in Rochester.  After Kay’s youngest child entered kindergarten, Kay went to work for the Internal Revenue Service, and remained there until her retirement.

Kay was predeceased by two husbands.  Her first husband, Wayne Ellison, died in 1988.  Her second husband, John Van Cuyk, died in 2010.  She was also predeceased by her youngest child, Elizabeth, who died in 2012.

Kay is survived by her children; Judy (Chris) Canney of Bloomington, MN, and John (Diane) Ellison of Lewiston, Idaho; beloved grandchildren, Christopher (Emily) Canney, Suzanne Canney, Anne Canney, Amanda (Mark) Ellison Paynic, Patrick (Whitney) Ellison, Drew (Randi) Nickelsen, and Adam (Jayme) Nickelsen; cherished great grandchildren, Ben and Grace Canney, Max Ellison, Emily, Ashley, Kaliee and Gavin Nickelsen. Kay is also survived by John (Lila) Van Cuyk, Jr. of Phoenix, AZ. and Lonnie (Linda) Van Cuyk of Chicago, IL. and their families

A wake will be held for Kay in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home on Sunday, July 6 from 5:00-7:00PM.  The funeral Mass will be offered at the Madonna Towers Chapel on Monday, July 7 at 11:00AM, with Rev. Donald Schmitz officiating. There will be one hour visitation prior to the service at Madonna Towers.  Burial will take place at St. Agnes Cemetery in Kellogg, MN.

Kay’s family would like to thank everyone at Madonna Towers Living Community, who not only gave her excellent care, but also surrounded her with love for the last years of her life.

Kay was a beloved Mother, “Gram”, and “Great Gram”, and she will be greatly missed by her family.  Memorials are preferred to Madonna Towers, Seasons Hospice or Lourdes High School.