Kay Schmitt

Kay P. Schmitt, 78, of Ottawa, Illinois passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at her son Donnie's home. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am Monday, January 19, 2015 at Ottawa Funeral Home with her close friend Carl Hardie officiating her service. Visitation will be 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm Sunday, January 18, 2015, with Moose services at 4:30 pm at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park. Kay was born September 15, 1936 in Rural Ottawa , Illinois to Howard and Sarah (Piercy) Nelson. She married Donald Schmitt Sr. on July 18, 1964 in Ottawa; he passed away May 4, 1982. She worked most of her life at local restaurants and at one time owned Kay's Cafe in Ottawa. Kay was a member of Women of the Moose, and Ottawa Bowling Association. She never had idle hands; she loved baking, cooking, and reading. Kay was the best mom, grandma, great-grandma, mother-in-law, and friend anyone could ask for. She is survived by six children, Debra (Albert) Baker of Bull Shoals, AR, Howard Tuttle of Oglesby, William (Tressa) Beers, Jr of Ottawa, Colleen (Randall) Hoar of Reynoldsburg, OH, Donald (Kim) Schmitt, Jr. of Ottawa, Penny Schmitt of Ottawa; a sister, Betty Haage of Ottawa; a brother, Delbert Nelson of Ottawa; sixteen grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; her best friend, Sharon Damyen; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband; two sisters, SeDell Eirhart and Dorothy Duncan; and two brothers, Howard "Sonny" Nelson and Gale Nelson. Pallbearers will be Howard Tuttle, Donnie Schmitt, Bill Beers, Jesse Schmitt, Albert Baker, Terry Hoar, and Randall Hoar II. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kayla Baker, Albert Baker II, Dana Jennings, Hailee Schmitt, and Ashlee Schmitt. Memorials may be directed to her family.