Kay F. Kane-Oltmann

Age 76, of Roseville; died on April 6, 2018, surrounded by family. ​Kay/Nana/Mom came to us via Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, Illinois. She grew up in the “Rolling Green” area of Rockford with her mom (Frances), her dad (Ture) and younger brother Ron. She enjoyed their dog, Toby, and her pet salamander, which she kept in her pocket. Vacations were spent in the Wisconsin outdoors, swimming and fishing. Always valuing friendships, she maintained those in Rockford until her final days. Kay began her own family with Mike in Rockford along with son Chris and daughter Teresa. They were very close with large families from both sides; all living in Rockford. Holidays were grand celebrations and scarcely a week went by without being with extended family. As she moved to Michigan, and then Minnesota, her interest in the sciences as a career blossomed as a Green Giant laboratory technician, nursing student and Registered EEG Technologist for over 28 years in the field of Neurodiagnostics. Kay’s attention to details and compassion was felt by the patients in her care and to all of those who had the pleasure to work with her. Throughout these periods of moves, Kay gathered lifelong friends as well as four-legged friends (Buttons, Babe, Sugar, Cinder, Homer and Hannah). In Minnesota she found a new companion and husband, Wayne. They never missed a single Minnesota State Fair and she became an annual volunteer and fair enthusiast. Kay knew every nook, cranny, and food of Minnesota’s Great Get-Together and could advise!  Kay made a calculation early-on as to how many places she could travel to in the world while still healthy:  Mexico, Canada, Europe, Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Thailand, India, Central America and South America. The Big Island of Hawaii and the beaches of Kona was her favorite place in the world (maybe even more than Grand Casino and Las Vegas.). She would return time and time again to sun on the beaches of Kona. Here, she nourished her “aloha spirit” that she lived and breathed throughout her life. Never one to turn down an adventure, she snorkeled and swam the depths of the ocean, hiked the mountains, hills, and valleys of the earth, and explored the heavens from a parasail, hot air balloon, world war II biplane and glider. Every moment Kay was able to make an adventure; no matter the situation. The sorrow that everyone feels who was blessed in knowing her, and the inspiration from her that we carry and live, is testament to how deeply she touched our lives. Kay wanted everyone to know the following about her in her own words; “I am a child of God! A follower of Jesus, and He is in me. I am marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit”. In addition, her message for everyone is: “Every day, bless the world as you pass through. Love is perfect Kindness”. Kay is survived by her husband, Wayne; son, Chris; daughter, Teresa; stepson, Jeremy Oltmann; grandchildren, Joseph, Madelaine, Olivia, Emma, Arjun, Ture, Willow, and Mrinalani; great-grandchild, Eden; and brother, Ron (Linda) Lanquist.  Funeral service at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 20 at NORTH HEIGHTS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2701 N. Rice Street, Roseville. Visitation from 10-11 AM Friday at the church.  Kay requests guests wear bright colors.