Kay Dell Botkin, 86, of Lake George, CO, passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2022 from Pneumonia.

Kay was born on 2/22/1936 to Ora and Bobbi Brownell in Pratt, Ks.  She was an only child. After graduating from Harper Kansas High School in 1954, she went on to study nursing at Wesley Nursing School in Wichita, KS.  She was Valedictorian of her 1958 Nursing School class.

In grade school, Kay met Donald Botkin and by the 5^th grade were best friends and remained so throughout their lives.  She married Don two days after graduating from Nursing School on April 5, 1958, going on to have 4 children, Thad, Heather, Judd and Ted.

After marriage, Kay worked at a small hospital in Harper before she and Don moved to Germany where Don served in the U.S. Army.  Upon their return, Kay and Don lived in Kansas City, MO where Kay worked at Research Hospital.  They moved to Blue Rapids, KS in 1968 where they established Don’s dental practice.  As part of the community, Kay established the Public Health Department in Marshall County, KS where she served as Chairperson of the Board.  She also initiated the “Association for Children with Learning Disabilities” in which she served as President.  She was a Cub Scout and Senior Girl Scout leader in Blue Rapids. After her children graduated, Kay returned to school and attended Kansas State University where she achieved a degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis in metals and jewelry.  She loved her experience at KSU and maintained a love of designing and creating jewelry throughout her life.  She was a tremendously skilled artist.

In 1992, as Don struggled with Parkinson’s, they purchased a historic (1878) former Pony Express Ranch house near Lake George, CO where they lived the rest of their lives together.  During this period, Kay was a caregiver for many years for her mother and husband which demonstrated her selfless love for others.

Kay loved life, her family, her dogs, was unceasingly happy and saw the positives and humor in every situation.  She welcomed anyone to her home by the side of the road and was supporter, cheerleader, friend and counselor for her children and grandchildren.  Her favorite activities were tending her herb garden, working in her studio and walking in the mountains of Colorado. As she became less mobile, she enjoyed the regular visits of family and friends. Kay also felt like the Queen Bee with all the attention given her by family members and the other devoted women who were the caregivers enabling her to enjoy the last four years of her life in her mountain home.

Kay was predeceased by Ora and Bobbie Brownell and Donald Botkin.  She is survived by her four children, Thad (Mary) of Marysville, KS, Heather (James) of Lake Quivira, KS, Judd (Janet) of Colorado Springs, CO and Ted of Lake George, CO; six grandchildren, Quincie (Zach), Gentry (Mark), Haden, Drake (Tami), Dalton, and Alec; two great granddaughters, Wrigley and Atlee Della (her namesake).

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Peak View Baptist Church in Florissant, CO on July 23^rd at 12:00 pm.