Kathleen 'Kay' Amelse — Rochester

The funeral for Kathleen "Kay" Amelse will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 21, at Madonna Towers in Rochester, with the Rev. Andrew Deitz officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights, Minn. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at Madonna Towers on Thursday.

Mrs. Kathleen "Kay" Amelse, 78, of Rochester, died Sunday, April 17, at Seasons Hospice.

Kay was born on July 7, 1937, in St. Paul, to Walter and Virginia Adamson. Kay was raised in St. Paul along with her three siblings. She attended St. Joseph's High School, and was a dental assistant after graduating. Kay married John Amelse on Dec. 28, 1957. She was a loving mother and wife, who, along with John, raised eight children. She later continued her education at The College of Saint Thomas, often bringing her youngest daughter, Katie, with her to class. She also taught art and water exercise classes in Des Moines as part of the Compass Club.

She enjoyed her large family, especially her 29 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Kay enjoyed art, gourmet cooking, golf, decorating and playing cards. She gave generously of her time to charities. She was a member of The Knights of Holy Sepulchre and the Serra Club as well as teaching art to Alzheimer's patients at the Bishop Drumm home in Des Moines. She and John also gave time to various fundraisers at Dowling High School in West Des Moines, Iowa, and the parishes they belonged to over the years. Most importantly, Kay was a woman of strong faith who never wavered in her beliefs. She passed the same faith to her entire family.

Survivors include her children, Mary Corrigan (Pat), Janice Hopfensperger (Dane), Michelle Deitz (Dave), Jeanine Wallner (Jim), Melissa Bares (Mike), John W. Amelse (Lauri), Megan Scheckel (Dan); son-in-law, Russ Burg (Tasha); her sister, Elaine Gran (Bob); her brother, Pat Adamson (Kathy); her sister-in-law, Donna Adamson; 29 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Amelse; her daughter, Katie Burg; her parents, Walter and Virginia Adamson; and her brother, Mike Adamson.

Memorials are preferred to Madonna Towers in honor of all they have done for our parents.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.