Kay Carolyn Kennedy

Kay Kennedy (Kay Carolyn Christoffersen) was born on April 20, 1931, to Holger and Marion Christoffersen at the Dahl House in Froid, Montana, during the Great Depression. She had two younger sisters, Corinne Margaret and Fay Marion. She attended Froid Public School, where she developed a lifelong love of reading and went on to read thousands of books, write hundreds of letters, and most of this obituary. When Kay was 10, World War II was declared, changing her life. She and her classmates were patriotic: they followed rationing rules, bought savings stamps, and sang songs such as “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful.” Many teachers were called into service, so when Kay and her classmates arrived at school, there were sometimes no teachers; eventually, parents stepped in to help.

At 16, Kay met Merland Curtis Sundheim, who had returned from World War II after serving in several countries and being in Paris on the day the war ended. They later married and had two sons: Dale James, who died a few days after birth, and Gary Merland. Merland, Kay, and Gary lived in Nashua, Montana, where Merland and Kay worked together in the grain business for more than 25 years. They also enjoyed time at their cabin in Fort Peck, where they entertained, boated, and made lasting memories with lifelong friends. Kay and Merland were married for more than 50 years. While attending college in Havre, Gary married and later had two children, Shane and Lonnie. After Merland’s death from cancer, Kay eventually moved from Nashua to Glasgow. She served 40 years on the Fort Peck Theatre Board, the Fine Arts Council, and the Glasgow Library Board and enjoyed attending the Gumble Garden Club with special friends. Kay was active in the Lutheran Church all her adult life and enjoyed teaching Bible Study classes. She took a trip each year including Denmark, Russia, Egypt, India, the Holy Land, Australia, New Zealand and South America.

Then the biggest surprise in all her life happened, one that she never expected. Her son, Gary, introduced her to his friend, Merle Kennedy who courted her for several years by telephone and while both in their 80’s they “hit it off” and got married and soon moved to Casper Wyoming. They had three and a half good years together and enjoyed traveling and sharing trips and activities with his son, Rodney, his wife Tracey and grandson, Shaedon. After Merle’s death, Kay continued to live in an apartment in Merle’s family home with his beloved family, as well as enjoying many adventures with Gary and Linda, who she said were a great blessing. She dove right into life in Casper. She joined two Red Hats groups, the Casper Garden Club and the Casper Doll Club. She also loved attending Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. She went to several conventions with the Red Hats, and enjoyed every one of them to its fullest. She enjoyed Casper College basketball and cheered them on with Gary. She also enjoyed concerts and shows, including Casper Civic Chorale (with Tracey singing) and multiple ArtCore offerings. She loved going out with Gary and Linda for a bit of gambling and a bite to eat every week. She never won much but always enjoyed herself. She made many friends in Casper during her time here. She also loved the Kennedy dogs; Maya, Snickers, Hubble and Finnegan (who she frequently called Rascal).

Kay summed up her life as, “I was too young in my first marriage and too old in the second one.” As an ordinary person, I have lived a good, full, exciting life with not many regrets and it’s been a great ride.”

The family knew Aunt Kaysie to be super-positive and thankful for all kindness and gifts, even if they were actually a bit slouchy. She was a kind-hearted soul who told great stories, laughed easily, saw the best in each person and situation, and was not judgmental or critical. She was ready to befriend or learn from anyone she met and frequently verbalized what she liked about you. She never asked much of anyone and got along with even the crankiest characters. She always brought a spark to a conversation with a folksy one-liner or quote from something she read. If the world was full of souls like Aunt Kaysie, it would be called heaven.

Kay is survived by her son, Gary, and his partner, Linda Cooper; grandson, Lonnie Nichols; great-grandson, Ian Alexander; sister Fay Weber and her husband Jack, nephews, Christoffer Weber and his wife, Carla, and Michael Weber and his wife, Belle; grandnieces, Julia and her husband, Ethan, and Sydney and her husband, Micah; grandsons, Cameron and Casey; nephews, Eric Strand and his wife, Tammy, and Kent Strand and his wife, Annette; great-granddaughter, Christine; grandson, Nicholas; and Merle’s family, Rodney, Tracey, and Shaedon Kennedy. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Merland Sundheim and Merle Kennedy; her sister, Corinne Strand; her grandson, Shane Nichols, and granddaughter-in-law Heather Nichols. 

A Celebration of Kay's life will be held on Saturday Sept. 19, 2026 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at a time to be determined.