Carolyn "Kay" Stark died surrounded by the loving support of her family on July 28, 2012, at her home in Eaton, Colorado, after a courageous 3 ½ year battle against Soft Tissue Sarcoma (cancer). Kay was born in Phillips County on March 1, 1941, the daughter of Otis and Lois (Hageman) Artman. She lived in the Greeley-Eaton area for much of her life.
Kay attended Holyoke High School, graduating in 1959. While still in high school, she began work in the "healing" arena as a nursing aide in Phillips County Hospital. She subsequently graduated from Radiology School in Greeley in 1963 and worked in the health care field for much of her life, serving many different capacities of the field in Greeley, Denver and Longmont. She worked for more than 25 years in medical billing before she retired in 2006. Kay was also committed to holistic healing practices. Many clients, as well as family and friends benefited from her work as a Healing Touch Practitioner. She also worked with Aroma Therapy and Essential Oils, was a distributor for Young Living Essential Oils, and was an educator in the field.
Kay was instrumental in spearheading the Widow Person's Social Group through Greeley's Hospice Organization (2003-present) and was a member of a local Questers group. Her family will remember her angel food cakes, apples pies, peanut brittle and gravy! She loved traveling, enthusiastically played cards, and treasured her circle of friends who were an immense support for her over the past three years.
Most of all, Kay was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, daughter and sister, roles she embraced wholeheartedly. She is survived by daughter Mona, with husband Derek Scott, and step-daughter Kathie, with husband Rick Hertzke. Beloved grandchildren are Ana and Bekah Scott; Jeff Hertzke with wife Jackie; Brad Hertzke with wife Jessi; and Greg Hertzke. She fondly boasted great-grandchildren Gabbie, Nolan & Ryleigh Hertzke. She is also survived by sister Jeanne Guisinger and husband Gary of Perry, Maine, and brother Ed Artman and wife Marilyn of Bothell, Washington, as well as a whole bunch of loving nieces and nephews. She was a leader in family communications and will be missed by many, many cousins as our family contact. Cousin Linda Isakson of Van Tassell, Wyoming, was a special friend.
Kay was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 36 years, Hank Stark who passed away in 2003. Hank was an avid woodworker, golfer, fisherman and hunter and will be remembered as an honorable sportsman. Kay was also preceded in passing by her mother and father, Lois and Otis Artman of Holyoke and Greeley and her sister, Sharon Van Dorn of Littleton. For all of those who went before her, she was a compassionate and generous caregiver.
A memorial service for Kay will be held Tuesday, July 31st, 2:00 pm at Faith Lutheran Church (County Road 76 & Cheyenne Ave.), Eaton, CO. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Kay may consider making a contribution to the Carolyn Kay Stark Memorial Fund which will be used to provide support to local Sarcoma education, research, and support.