Birth date: Feb 26, 1943 Death date: Aug 18, 2020
Kay (Henrykay Peete) Ostrom, age 77, passed away peacefully in her home on August 18, 2020 from pancreatic cancer. Kay was born on February 26, 1943 in Sylacauga, AL to Henry and Louise (Lucas) Peete who were both educators. They Read Obituary
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What a wonderful lady Kay was! I met her in High School when I hung around with Clay - and she was so kind and welcoming to me! Years and years later, she would continue to send cards and check in with me and make me & my family feel so special. That was her special git. She will be truly missed. Clay & Carol - I'm so sorry for your loss and am sending lots of love to you all.
It is with great sadness we learned of Kay’s passing. We have known Kay for many years through education and the American Red Cross - she was passionate and dedicated. More recently, one of her passions was the Gary W. Ostrom award for West Michigan Student Showcase. As always, she loved the showcasing of the area students. A kind, gentle friend to so many, she will be missed.
My first memory of the Ostrom house and Kay stems back from the late 1980s. My church choir from Soltau/Germany was touring Michigan (it all stems back from a Blue Lake Orchestra visiting us first) and California. I brought my parents along and we happened to be selected to stay with Kay and Gary. Their house (not yet their lake house) was filled with life, openess and laughter. Kay (and also Gary) was the super welcoming host. It was a warm summer night and Carol and I talked at the pool way into the night. The next morning Kay told us, that she could not really sleep because of our talking, but she did not want to interrupt us or send us to bed because she felt this conversation was too precious. How could she know back then that Carol and I started out friendship on that evening and are still friends even though we have the Atlantic Ocean between us and sometimes do not see each other for years?
Later, me and 3 friends from university in Germany drove a car from Vancouver to Toronto and stopped at Alma College to visit Carol and then went on to Muskegon. 4 young smelly persons, 3 strangers in her house (now the lake property)? Not a problem at all. And we left with enough food in our station wagon to get us to the final destination.
With a recommendation from Gary, I then was able to get a scholarship from my Berlin University with one of their associated schools in the US. One of them was WMU in Kalamazoo. So for me it was clear I wanted to go there. Because I knew I would have a real home in Muskegon to which I could escape anytime. Those 9 months were the most intensive for me with the Ostroms. Gary purchased a Forst Escort for me that I was able to sell at a higher price in California vs. what I paid. I spent all holidays with them, went to their church whenever possible and just came for many weekends. Gary and Kay just treated me as their 3rd child. I learned so much from them in those months. Generosity (yes, also financially, but much more opening their parent hearts for me) and kindness. I will never forget how Gary would check my car (oil, air, water etc.) when it was parked and never made a big thing out of it. These unconditional signs of love have shaped how I raised my two children. With respect and trust foremost, but also with lengthy talks and listening to their little and big problems, and with humor - just like Gary and Kay did it with Carol and Kay and then me.
My fondest memories of Kay are what I call our kitchen talks. I would come driving in from Kalamazoo on a Friday and she would be prepping dinner or baking a cake. She wanted to know everything about my classes, my friends, my problems, how my parents where doing, roommates issues, future plans. Back then I did not notice this so much, but later it became clear to me: While we were talking, she always managed to fill in little challenges to my thought process or a piece of advice that would help me with my direction. She (and Gary) shaped me so much in becoming a good human being (at least I try my best). Yes, my parents laid a great foundation, but exposure to family life with the Ostroms and parental guidance from Kay and Gary helped immensely to find my way.
Closing with a little story. Kay and Gary visited me in Germany, flying into Berlin, where I was studying. I had rented a Merceded E-class (Gary paid...) to drive them to my parents house in Soltau and then further on to our choir leader who had moved close to Heidelberg. While I was driving 80-130m/h on the autobahn, Kay was sitting in the back, working her diary and papers and letters, completely ignoring the speed. Even though she probably was terrified, she knew that Gary would enjoy this immensely (he later drove also, but stayed mostly at 80-100m/h) and she trusted me with my driving.
Kay, thank you for being a mother to me. You live on in my heart and my soul. And I see traces of you in my children which makes me really happy.
Gerfried Kroeger from Mutterstadt in Germany
I am very sorry for the loss of Kay in the life of everyone who knew her.
The box of Kleenex she gave me after reading my book is still on my nightstand. The beautifully packaged gift was inspired by the idea that holding a tissue in your hand can stand in for holding the hand of God. Kay reached out to so many people and blessed our lives.
I met Kay when we worked for the Parent-Child Workshop in Orchard View. Kay was such a dedicated and caring teacher, and a thoughtful friend. I will miss her at our annual reunion lunches.
Kay was my penfriend and when we first started to correspond in 1978 letters flew quickly backwards and forwards across the Atlantic. We shared so many wonderful times with Kay, Gary, Carol and Mat. Four weddings, births of grandchildren and many wonderful holidays happened over the years. They made sure that if it was in their power we would see so many amazing sights, we had holidays in Muskegon, at least three, California, also Kay booked and paid for us to see Barry Manilow in Vegas, saying she had enjoyed watching me watching Barry, more than she enjoyed Barry. We went to Florida and drove through many States, plus holidays in England and Grenada where Kay’s luggage went missing and she had to borrow a sun dress for couple of days. . Kay loved to show me new recipes and arranging a Thanksgiving Dinner in August so we could experience a real ‘American celebration). I had the privilege of Kay thinking of me as ‘my sister’, and I certainly felt like this too. I am so glad we got to have a lovely half hour conversation a few weeks ago. Heaven has definitely got another angel. We all loved you Kay, you are now with the love of your life, your beloved Gary. God bless you our wonderful friend.
Love Viv, Peter, Iain, Helen, Damien and Cat and all our grandchildren.
Kay was an amazing woman. I have so many fond memories of her. I've know her most of my life. I met her as a child when she worked at parent child workshop. When I was in high school, Kay helped me fund raise so I could go on a trip to Japan. She took me to lunch when I was a young mom. And last year, after I had lost my husband and my Mom, she brought me and my Dad through a grief support group. And sent me a thank you note for it! Kay made the world a better place and I will miss her. - Dorothy Campbell
Kay represented DKG at my mother’s funeral and presented a white rose to me in her memory. 9 years later, I joined DKG, and Kay became a trusted mentor. I will truly miss her knowledge and passion for DKG. I will also miss her friendship. Sympathies to her family, and we were blessed to know her.
Carol & Matt, My heart goes out to you both with the loss of your Mom, Kay. I always remember her lightheartedness and enthusiasm when she visited us at The Chronicle. I still have her recipes for her Christmas cookies she shared with every employee, and I remember how she gleefully and personally distributed plates of homemade cookies to each of us! 😊 My thoughts and prayers are with you both, and the Ostrom family in the coming days. ~ Colette Kufahl
