Charlene Ruth Kay

Charlene Ruth Kay, 95, of Portage, Michigan, passed away on December 15, 2024. 

Char was born on August 2, 1929, to Lawrence and Mary Hicks in Dimondale, Michigan. She spent her early years in Dimondale, Jackson, and Kalamazoo, Michigan, and graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1947. 

Char was the proud mother of five children: Sandra, Steve, Michael, Kelley, and Scott. After retiring in 1989, she devoted her time to caring for her elderly father and her son, Michael. Later in life, she found joy in babysitting her grandchildren. She had a passion for shopping and bargain hunting, often finding a reason to venture out daily. Remarkably independent throughout her life, she continued to drive well into her nineties. 

Char was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Kay; her parents, Mary and Lawrence Hicks; and her son, Michael Kay. She is survived by her daughter, Sandy Farmer (Bob), son, Steve Douglas (Katherine), daughter, Kelley Gibbs, son, Scott Kay (Kristin), as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who will cherish her memory. 

A visitation will be held at Langeland Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 411 E Centre Ave, Portage, MI 49002 on December 19, 2024, at 11:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Salvation Army, Kalamazoo, MI 49001. 

Charlene’s legacy of love and resilience will live on through the generations of family she nurtured. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew and loved her.