Kay M. Kollmorgen

Kay M. Kollmorgen, 84, of Humboldt, passed away peacefully in his sleep, at home, on Saturday morning, October 20, 2018.

He was born December 17, 1933 in Bancroft, Nebraska, the son of Arthur and Dorathea (Lase) Kollmorgen. He attended Zion Lutheran Parochial School, taught by his father and was confirmed and graduated from the 8th grade in 1947. The family then moved to Charter Oak, Iowa where he graduated high school in 1951. He was a hired hand on farms for one year, then attended Wayne State Teachers College, before enlisting in the United States Army. Following his discharge from the Army, he taught industrial arts and physical education in Lyons, Nebraska and coached all high school sports. He was united in marriage to Joan E. Neill on June 5, 1960 in Modale, Iowa. The couple moved to Akron, Iowa and Kay attended the University of South Dakota, graduating with a Master’s Degree in Education Administration. In 1963, the couple moved to Humboldt and he assumed the position of principal at Mease Elementary School where he served for 32 years, retiring in 1995 the same year in which Kollmorgen Playground was established. In retirement Kay drove a truck for ADF for a number of years, but his philosophy in life was to contribute and give back. In 1998, he was elected to serve as a Supervisor of Humboldt County for which he served two terms, he was instrumental in converting old railway tracks into beautiful hiking and biking trails, was the founding President of Pheasants Forever in Humboldt County and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. He was a contributing member of the Humboldt Lions Club and the Humboldt Country Club for over 50 years. He served his community and church in so many different capacities, they are too numerous to mention, yet if you have been engaged and have volunteered in the community, you know if you worked alongside Kay, he was the model of community service. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren, loved sports, hunting and enjoyed the time spent at operating his Christmas Tree Farm since 1975.

He is survived by his wife, Joan of Humboldt, his children, Paul (Julie) Kollmorgen of Humboldt, Anne (Eric) Johnson of Coralville, John (Lori) Kollmorgen of Humboldt, his grandchildren, Luke (Olivia) Kollmorgen, Sydney Kollmorgen, Kallie (Matt) Bentz, Nate & Zach Kollmorgen and Carter & Ella Johnson, his siblings, Ardyce (Rev. Harry) Bartels of Gresham, Oregon, Dr. Mark (Jeanne) Kollmorgen of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, Dr. Robert (Marilyn) Kollmorgen of Urbandale, JoAnn (Dr. John) Henningsen of Rice Lake, Wisconsin and Sharon (Richard) Bossow of Clermont, Florida, his sister-in-law, Mary Ann Kollmorgen of Belle Plaine, Iowa and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Walter and an infant great niece.

Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 26th and the Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 27th both at Zion Lutheran Church in Humboldt. Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Humboldt. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kay Kollmorgen Memorial Fund for future community projects. www.masonlindhart.com