Kay Carol Messer, 75, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2022, at the Southeast Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
Kay was born January 21, 1947, in Mount Pleasant. She was the daughter of William Arthur and Anna Jane Enness McTee Sr. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1965. Kay earned an Associate’s degree from Southeastern Community College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Illinois University. Kay furthered her studies at St. Ambrose University, working towards a master’s degree.
On February 14, 1993, at the Cottonwood United Methodist Church in rural Wayland, Kay was united in marriage to Dwight Edward Messer. Dwight preceded Kay in death on September 19, 2017.
Kay was employed at Sheaffer Pen Co. in Fort Madison and at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown. Kay had also worked for several nursing homes in the area. She worked full-time and one or more part-time jobs while going to school.
As a youth, she was a member of boys and girls 4-H, showing calves. Kay liked to sew and crochet. She loved to garden, tend to her flowers, and watch westerns. Kay was kept in constant companionship with her dachshund, Tanner.
Those thankful for sharing in Kay’s life include a daughter and her husband, Kim and Nathan Benz, and 2 grandsons – Remington and Caden Benz, all of Morning Sun; a sister, Virginia Starman of Burlington; a sister-in-law, Marilyn McTee of Mount Pleasant; a brother-in-law, Randy (Carrie Duncan) Messer of New London; a stepson, Timothy (Chris) Otterbeck-Messer of Cedar Rapids; a stepdaughter Lori Yancy of O’Fallon, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews and other members of her husband Dwight’s family.
In addition to her parents and husband, Kay is preceded in death by a brother, William McTee, Jr; a stepson, Scott Messer; and her beloved dachshund, Tanner.
Per Kay’s wishes, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mount Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Paws Animal Shelter in Fort Madison, the Des Moines County Animal Shelter in Burlington, or A Little Bit of Country Dog Rescue in Wever.