Memorial

Catherine (Kay) High Ames went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at the age of 95.  Kay is survived by her 3 daughters, Cheryl (Steve) Stramel of Cedar Rapids, Debbie Hartig of Caney, KS and Sandy (Steve) Tiedt of Madison, WI, 6 grandchildren; Sara, Dan, Jen, Brent, Eric and Brian as well as 5 great-grandchildren; Evan, Hayden, Morgan, Lydia and Guy.  She was preceded in death by her husband Guy, her grandson Timothy Schultz, her son-in-law Don Hartig, her parents and her brothers and sister.

Kay was born on March 17, 1923 in Minneapolis, MN to Harold and Sylvia High and grew up in Charles City, Iowa.  She married the love of her life, Guy, on August 1, 1942 in Portsmouth, VA. When the war ended, the couple moved to Iowa City where Guy attended the University of Iowa.  Upon his graduation, they moved to Cedar Rapids IA in 1949.

Kay was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother and she took great pride in caring for her family.  She was an accomplished seamstress and sewed many of the clothes her girls wore.  She was a fantastic cook and housekeeper. Kay was very involved in her daughter’s lives at school, at church, and as a Camp Fire Girls leader.  And when the grandchildren came along, Kay delighted in spending time with them and taking them for rides to the Dairy Queen in her little red convertible.
Kay was a woman of strong faith believing in the power and strength of Jesus Christ’s love. She lived her faith and put it into action by volunteering countless hours of her time at First Presbyterian Church where she was a member for over 60 years. She taught Sunday School, worked at rummage sales, the Sunday Evening Meals program, and served on many boards. Kay was recognized as being the first woman elder of the church. 

Kay had many hobbies which included playing bridge and belonged to several bridge clubs throughout her life.  She was a voracious reader and loved all types of books, but most of all her Bible.  Later in life she rediscovered her passion for painting and was a member of Creative Artists.  Many of her paintings adorn the walls of her daughters’ homes.  When her husband retired, they took up golf and enjoyed playing together.  In addition, she belonged to a women’s golf league where she made many new friends. Kay was a vibrant soul and one who lit up the room whenever she entered!  She was always full of joy and was always eager to help, no matter what the problem was! She will be deeply missed by her family.

Visitation is at 1:00, worship service at 2:00 followed by light refreshments and fellowship all at First Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 18th at 2:00 p.m.  A private graveside service will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the 1st Presbyterian Church Building Fund.  

Your life was a blessing, your memory is a treasure, 
You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.