Kay E. McCarthy, age 74 of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025, at Avera Prince of Peace.  Her Funeral Service will be 1:00 PM Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Avera Prince of Peace Chapel.  Visitation with Family Present will be from 5:00-7:00 PM on Friday, August 29, 2025, also at Avera Prince of Peace Chapel.  Her Graveside Service will be 1:00 PM Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at the Graceland Cemetery, Burke, SD.

Kay Elaine McCarthy was born on March 2, 1951 to Peter and Agnus Jongewaard at Rosebud hospital in Winner, SD. Kay grew up the third of six siblings on a ranch near Wood, SD. As a child she learned to work hard.  Her and her siblings spent many days mowing, raking and taking care of calves.  She loved attending school and church as it was where she had the most fun.  After graduating from Wood high school in 1969, she pursued a degree in business at Southern State College in Springfield where she met her husband Dean McCarthy. They were married on August 29, 1970 and began their married lives in Burke, SD.  A year later they moved to Tabor, SD where Kay worked as a bank teller, finance officer for the city of Tabor, as a food service manager for the senior center, and an educational assistant.

While living in Tabor,  much of her free time was devoted to her church at  First Assembly of God church in Yankton, SD. Kay was always inviting people to join her at church and giving them rides.  She made church a priority for her family as well, making sure her boys were involved in summer camps, mission trips, and anything else that was around. She also sang and played piano with the worship team. Kay was an incredible musician. Beyond her love for singing and playing piano, she was a skilled, self taught accordion player; inspired by her love of Lawrence Welk, her favorite show as a child.

Kay loved to take her family on Saturday afternoon drives. It was her way to connect and talk to her sons. They would often end up somewhere for ice cream or a tasty treat. In fact, Kay just loved driving, and fast; especially when they got past Rosebud.  There was no ride quite as smooth as a Cadillac on a gravel road to Grandma's house.

No matter how many different roles she held throughout her life, her true purpose was being a mother to her sons Richard and Lewis, and grandmother to Jack, William, Eleanor, Richard Jr., and Eleana.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband Dean McCarthy, Sioux Falls, SD; sons Richard (Uzoma), North Port, AL; Lewis (Sarah) Brandon, SD; grandchildren Jack, Salt Lake City, UT; William, University of Nebraska, Lincoln; Eleanor, Brandon, SD; Richard Jr. and Eleana, North Port, AL; sisters Karen (Steve) Christensen, Platte, SD;  Mary Ann (Brad) Davidson, Walkertown, NC; Kathy (Jerry) Van Vactor, Rapid City, SD; and brother Richard (Julie) Jongewaard, Wood, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Agnes (Walter) Jongewaard and her brother Leonard Jongewaard.