Kay Harfst

Kay was born on October 1, 1934, to Roy and Lena (Hamlin) Swain on a farm near Soldier, Iowa. She attended Soldier Community Schools, graduating in 1952, and then attended Iowa State Teachers College (UNI), graduating with a degree in Education. She married Kenneth Harfst on June 8, 1958, in Soldier, Iowa.

Both Ken and Kay were educators for many years, starting their careers in Iowa Falls. Kay was initially a first-grade teacher. She took a break in the 1960s and early 1970s to raise a family. She later resumed teaching in Webster City once the twins reached Junior High. In addition to raising three kids less than two years apart, Kay was active with the First Congregational United Church of Christ, singing in the choir for many years. She was also involved with PEO, the League for Women Voters and Arts R Alive.

Kay’s family include daughter Karin Sehmann (Mick) of Richmond, KY; son Kyle Harfst (Terri) of Mahomet, IL; daughter in-law Becky Harfst of Webster City; grandchildren: Andrew Sehmann (Ashley) of Athens, GA, Brady Harfst (fiance Sarah Igram) of Ames, Jenna Sehmann of Nacogdoches, TX; Hannah Koelbl (Joey) of Raleigh, NC; Taylor Krout (Stephen) of Fishers, IN, Maxwell Harfst of Minneapolis, MN, and Nicholas Harfst of Mahomet, IL; great-grandson Griffin Koelbl; sisters: Nancy Swain of Omaha, NE, Sandra Tillson of Denver CO, and Kathy Kennedy (Dennis) of Council Bluffs. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth, son Kent, parents, and three brothers; Larry, Terry and Richard Swain. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1000 Willson Avenue, Webster City, IA 50595.