HURON — Kay Lynn McGaugh, age 63, of Huron passed away Saturday, September 28, 2024, in her home, surrounded by her loving family. Kay fought a long, courageous battle with liver disease and filled her days with children’s and grandchildren’s activities right to the end.
Her Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m., on Friday, Oct. 4, at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish, with burial to follow at St. Martin Catholic Cemetery in Huron.
Visitation, with her family present, is from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3, at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish in Huron. A Scripture Service and Chaplet of Divine Mercy service will begin at 6:30 Thursday evening at the church.
Kay was born to Duane and Janice Rausch of Onaka, on September 15, 1961, the seventh of 13 children. She loved growing up on the farm and much preferred working with cattle or in the field to housework. Kay was active in 4-H throughout her youth and was crowned S.D. Hereford Queen in 1978. She graduated from Cresbard High School in 1979 and went on to receive her degree from Sioux Valley School of Respiratory Care in Sioux Falls.
Kay married her high school sweetheart, Scott McGaugh, on September 12, 1980, in Onaka. The couple moved around Eastern South Dakota following Scott’s career with Northwestern Public Service. Kay and Scott had four children from 1984 to 1988. The family lived in Parkston, from 1987-1994 where Kay ran a home daycare, and the family made life-long friends.
From 1995-1997 they lived in Springfield, and Kay was employed as a respiratory therapist in Yankton. The family moved to a farm southwest of Huron in 1997 and Kay was employed at HRMC. Kay was a wonderful respiratory therapist and made her patients feel so special that they never forgot her and would often stop her or her family in public. Kay loved spending time outside in the sunshine and gardening was her favorite summer-time hobby.
Kay’s Catholic faith was always an important part of her life and she worked hard to pass this faith on to her children and grandchildren. Kay was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Parish and taught religious education for many years. She also helped start and lead the Holy Trinity Respect Life group. Kay loved her children and grandchildren and always made sure to attend as many of their activities as she could. Scott and Kay’s home was always loud and busy with their children and 16 grandchildren coming and going often.
There are many who were blessed by having Kay in their lives, including her husband, Scott (Huron), children: Angela (Brad) Schutt of Huron, Daniel (Erin) McGaugh of Huron, Jeff (Tiffany Lawrence) McGaugh of Huron, and Abby (Kris) Johnson of Watertown; grandchildren: Emily, Landon, Ella, Lydia and Elizabeth Schutt (Huron), Reva, Natalee, Lane and Marcella McGaugh (Huron), Madelynn and Olivia McGaugh, Alex Atkins, Kenna Nelson (Huron), and Jaide, Gage and Riley Johnson (Watertown); siblings: Rick (Linda) Rausch of Onaka, Jeannie (Leonard) Heim of Winner, Cindy Schlosser of Bismarck, N.D., Pam Holt of Mina, Twila Rausch of Aberdeen, Shellie (Owen) Melius of Olathe, Kan., Deb (Joel) Owens of Mitchell, Tim (Teresa) Rausch of Florence, Mont., Kristie (Jon) Beal of Missoula, Mont., Peg (Lee) Goetz of Aberdeen, Troy (Lovette) Rausch of Edmond, Okla., Chad (Courtney) Rausch of Powell, Wyo.; many nieces and nephews, special friends Tony and Kelly DesLauries family (Great Bend, Kan.) and best friend from high school Susan Miller (Faulkton).
Kay is preceded in death by her parents; in-laws, David and Donna McGaugh; a sister-in-law Carmen Rausch; brother, Gary Rausch; two brothers-in-law, Mike Schlosser and Kevin Holt; and her great-niece Amaya Larson.
For those coming to remember and celebrate Kay’s life, she requested that you wear bright colors. In lieu of flowers and plants, the family requests memorials be sent to Holy Trinity Catholic School in Huron.
www.welterfuneralhome.com