Catherine "Kay" Mcwilliams

Catherine "Kay" McWilliams, age 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at the Saunders Medical Center LTC in Wahoo, Nebraska.

Funeral Services are 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 22, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church in Columbus, Nebraska. Visitation is 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday at McKown Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Friday morning from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the church.  Burial will be in the Columbus Cemetery.

The Service will be broadcast on the McKown Funeral Home Facebook page. You can access the Facebook page by clicking here .

Catherine Ione Long "Kay" was the 5 ^th of 8 children born May 30, 1934 at home, before the doctor arrived on the hottest day in history at the time, to John Waldo Long, and Mildred June Harris. Born near Tekamah Nebraska, Kay grew up on a farm north of Lyons, and graduated from Lyons High School. Kay married James D. McWilliams, on April 9, 1953, and to this union 3 children were born, Stephen, David and Ann Marie. Jim and Kay lived in Fremont, Pawnee City, and near and in Columbus Nebraska during the years when their children were growing up. Kay worked as a secretary for various companies and became the business manager for Gilmore and Associates for over 35 years in Columbus.

Kay was active in the Methodist church for many years, and enjoyed volunteering as an usher, a greeter, meals at church, and preparing communion. She will be well remembered as an excellent cook, a "perfect" candy maker, a meticulous lawn and house keeper.  Her neighbors were cared for as well. Her love for Husker Football, also included a great dislike for Cornhuskers losing any games. Trips to Oregon, New Orleans, and to the East coast when her sons were at the Navy and Merchant Marine academies, were memories she loved to discuss.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Dwight Eugene, Frances Clair, and John Robert Long, sisters: Gladys Anabell Cutschall and Jerri Paulene Boyle, husband Jim, daughter Ann Marie Dunn, son- in-law Jeffrey Dunn, brother-in-law Marshal Farley, in-laws Lyle and Esther McWilliams and nephew Kelley Farley.

Kay is survived by her brother Dewey Franklin Long, her sister Janell Irene Banks, her sons Stephen and David (Karen) McWilliams, her grandchildren Nikki Dunn, Ryan Dunn, James David McWilliams, and Bradley Scott McWilliams; step grandchildren Brooke Petermann (Brian) and April Benson (Doug McMillen), numerous nieces and nephews 4 step great grandchildren, sister-in-law Sue Farley and valued friends.

Kay treasured her friends at Columbus First United Methodist Church, her co-workers at Gillmore and Associates, and family and friends calling or stopping in. Kay lived at Saunders Long Term Care at Wahoo, Nebraska her last year of life, near Dave and Karen.

Kay wrote in her funeral service wishes "Please don't be sad. Remember I will finally get to see the rest of my family."

Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church in Columbus.