Murel Kay

Murel Hill Kay, a lifetime resident of Teton Valley, Idaho passed away on March 21, 2015, at the age of 91. Murel was born on February 8, 1924, in Richvale, Idaho to John W. Hill and Ivy Dixon Hill. She was one of ten children. She entered high school in the fall of 1937 and lived with a cousin and worked for room and board. When orphaned at the age of 16, she left high school to raise her family. Faith and family were the touchstones of Murel Hill Kay’s life. During her 91 years, she exemplified the virtues of love and self-sacrifice and fought to preserve and nurture her family. Life was not always easy. Orphaned at 16, Murel became the caretaker for her four younger brothers and sisters and the manager of her family farm in Packsaddle Canyon. On September 14, 1940, in Richvale, Idaho, she married Vernal D. Kay. After her marriage, she also raised her own seven children, inculcating in them the value of hard work and faith. Two of her sons and several of her grandsons subsequently served Mormon Missions. Murel was an active member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served in many positions through the years. She loved to quilt and has sewn together hundreds of quilts and quilted them by hand with the help of good friends, Relief Society Sisters, and family. Each of her children and grandchildren are blessed to have these quilts and much of her embroidery work in their homes. Murel’s family was sealed in the Rexburg, Idaho LDS Temple. She is survived by six children, Kent Kay (Arlene) of Cape Cod, Mass.; Terry Kay (Jo Anne) of Tetonia; Blair Kay (Carolyn) of Rexburg; Marlene Robson (Gary) of Felt; Patricia Cook (Alan) of Teton; Cynthia Hartshorn (Wayne) of Driggs. She is also survived by three siblings: Lavina Miller, Norma Corkill, and Ivy Hansen. She has 26 Grandchildren and 58 Great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Vernal D Kay, her daughter; Karen Stoltz, and her siblings; Ethel Lee, Wayne Hill, Erma Henry, Ester Hill, Melvin Hill, and Edwin Clive Hill. Funeral services will be held at the LDS Chapel in Tetonia, Idaho on Friday, March 27th at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will also be held on Thursday, March 26th from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Tetonia Church and then for an hour preceding the funeral. Burial will be in the Hayden Cemetery in Tetonia, Idaho. In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the Teton Valley Museum Foundation. A history of Murel Kay as written by her can be read at http://tervurendad.com

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