Kay Carol (McTee) Messer

Kay Carol Messer, 75, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at the Southeast Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, IA.

Kay was born January 21, 1947 in Mount Pleasant, IA. She was the daughter of William Arthur and Anna Jane (Enness) McTee, Sr. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in  1965. Kay earned an Associate’s Degree from Southeastern Community College and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Western Illinois University. Kay furthered her studies at St. Ambrose University, working towards a master’s degree.

On February 14, 1993 at the Cottonwood United Methodist Church, rural Wayland, Kay was united in marriage to Dwight Edward Messer. Dwight preceded Kay in death on September 19, 2017.

Kay was employed at Sheaffer Pen Co. in Ft. Madison and the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown. Kay had also worked for several nursing homes in the area. She worked full time and one or more part-time jobs while going to school.

As a youth, she was a member of boys and girls 4-H, showing calves. Kay liked to sew and crochet. She loved to garden, tend to her flowers and watch westerns. Kay was kept in constant companionship with her dachshund Tanner.

Those thankful for sharing in Kay’s life include a daughter and her husband, Kim and Nathan Benz and 2 grandsons – Remington and Caden Benz, all of Morning Sun; a sister, Virginia Starman of Burlington, IA; a sister-in-law, Marilyn McTee of Mt. Pleasant; a brother -in-law, Randy (Carrie Duncan) Messer of New London; a step son, Timothy (Chris) Otterbeck-Messer of Cedar Rapids, IA; a step daughter Lori Yancy of O’Fallon, MO; several nieces and nephews and other members of her husband Dwight’s family.

In addition to her parents and husband, Kay is preceded in death by a brother, William McTee, Jr; a stepson -  Scott Messer, and her beloved dachshund, Tanner.

Per Kay’s wishes, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Paws Animal Shelter in Ft. Madison, the Des Moines County Animal Shelter in Burlington or A Little Bit of Country Dog Rescue in Wever.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kay Carol (McTee) Messer, please visit our floral store.