Kay Frances Gerholdt
November 14, 1946 — January 23, 2024
On January 23, 2024, Kay Frances Gerholdt, 77, passed away suddenly at home with her husband of 28 years, John Gerholdt. She was born 11/14/1946 to Francis and Frances Peterson of Harlan, Iowa. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, kindness and cherished memories.
Kay was the first of the baby-boomers and a calendar girl from the beginning, appearing in the Logeland calendar at the age of 3. She attended Fairview #5, one of the last one-room schools in Shelby County. Active in the Harlan community, she won the county demonstration contest and presented it in competition at the state fair as well as eventually serving as 4-H club president, fair queen, and Rainbow Worthy Advisor. A graduate of Harlan High School, she attended Commercial Extension School of Commerce and worked in business administration at several businesses in the area.
Kay married Ronald Woltmann in 1968 and became a farmer's wife, raising two children and working from dawn to dusk on a daily basis. She took an active part in contributing to small town economics while operating the Woltmann Trucking, the Avoca Sale Barn Cafe and eventually the Avoca Market and Shelby Market grocery stores, making countless memories with friends and family. After losing her husband in 1983, Kay worked in banking and other industries while raising her children. She was eventually reunited with her high school sweetheart, John Gerholdt, and they were wed in April 1995 after moving to Wichita Falls, Texas. They made a wonderful life together there retiring in 2011when they changed their lifestyle to be snowbirds, happily traveling the roads in their 5th wheel. They made countless memories and created lasting friendships while working several years at Beacon Shores Resort in Crosslake, MN and wintering in Donna, TX with all their mid-western friends.
People that knew Kay will remember her wholesome laughter and genuine smile that reached her eyes. Her selfless character always kept her busy, especially in the kitchen. She took up quilting after retirement, dedicating hours making quilts for all of her grandkids. Her cooking and baking skills were magical, and will be missed greatly - especially because she often would remark “just flavor it to taste,” when a recipe wasn’t necessary in her eyes. Over her life, she enjoyed fishing at Prairie Rose and Minnesota lakes, dancing, socializing, gardening, quilting, and bragging about all her grandchildren. Since Covid, Sunday family Zoom calls with participants from all over the country have been the highlight of the week, sharing stories and gaining insight to each other’s lives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis L. Peterson and Frances M. Peterson, and first husband, Ronald Woltmann.
Survivors including John Gerholdt; son Daniel Woltmann and Carla Barnes of Oakland, CA; daughter Coleen Carroll of Amarillo, TX; sister Fayetta Fields and husband Dick; sisters-in-law Mary Larson, Cathe Bynum and husband Pete; grandchildren Dakota (Anna) Garcia, Tanner Woltmann, McKenzie Carroll, McKayla Carroll, Gabby Ryan; nieces and nephew Rod Miller (Arden), Rachelle Miller, Robbyn Miller-Myers; and countless friends and extended family.
No local services will be held.
Kay was the first of the baby-boomers and a calendar girl from the beginning, appearing in the Logeland calendar at the age of 3. She attended Fairview #5, one of the last one-room schools in Shelby County. Active in the Harlan community, she won the county demonstration contest and presented it in competition at the state fair as well as eventually serving as 4-H club president, fair queen, and Rainbow Worthy Advisor. A graduate of Harlan High School, she attended Commercial Extension School of Commerce and worked in business administration at several businesses in the area.
Kay married Ronald Woltmann in 1968 and became a farmer's wife, raising two children and working from dawn to dusk on a daily basis. She took an active part in contributing to small town economics while operating the Woltmann Trucking, the Avoca Sale Barn Cafe and eventually the Avoca Market and Shelby Market grocery stores, making countless memories with friends and family. After losing her husband in 1983, Kay worked in banking and other industries while raising her children. She was eventually reunited with her high school sweetheart, John Gerholdt, and they were wed in April 1995 after moving to Wichita Falls, Texas. They made a wonderful life together there retiring in 2011when they changed their lifestyle to be snowbirds, happily traveling the roads in their 5th wheel. They made countless memories and created lasting friendships while working several years at Beacon Shores Resort in Crosslake, MN and wintering in Donna, TX with all their mid-western friends.
People that knew Kay will remember her wholesome laughter and genuine smile that reached her eyes. Her selfless character always kept her busy, especially in the kitchen. She took up quilting after retirement, dedicating hours making quilts for all of her grandkids. Her cooking and baking skills were magical, and will be missed greatly - especially because she often would remark “just flavor it to taste,” when a recipe wasn’t necessary in her eyes. Over her life, she enjoyed fishing at Prairie Rose and Minnesota lakes, dancing, socializing, gardening, quilting, and bragging about all her grandchildren. Since Covid, Sunday family Zoom calls with participants from all over the country have been the highlight of the week, sharing stories and gaining insight to each other’s lives.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis L. Peterson and Frances M. Peterson, and first husband, Ronald Woltmann.
Survivors including John Gerholdt; son Daniel Woltmann and Carla Barnes of Oakland, CA; daughter Coleen Carroll of Amarillo, TX; sister Fayetta Fields and husband Dick; sisters-in-law Mary Larson, Cathe Bynum and husband Pete; grandchildren Dakota (Anna) Garcia, Tanner Woltmann, McKenzie Carroll, McKayla Carroll, Gabby Ryan; nieces and nephew Rod Miller (Arden), Rachelle Miller, Robbyn Miller-Myers; and countless friends and extended family.
No local services will be held.
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