Kathryn "Kay" Laura Hong, age 65, died on Friday, September 20, 2024.  Kay was born to Donna Mae "D'Mae" (Simonsen) & Theodore "Ted" N. Hong, on February 16, 1959, in Sioux Falls, SD.  Kay grew up in Sioux Falls, the second child of four, and the first daughter.  Kay attended All Saints Elementary, Mark Twain Elementary, Bartholomew Middle School (Eynsham, Oxfordshire, England), Patrick Henry Jr. High, and Lincoln High School, including the Compass alternative program.  Kay graduated with high honors from Augustana College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in English, History, and Religion, in 1981.  She was a member of History Honors Society, editor of the college newspaper, The Mirror, and the student literary journal.  Kay later completed two years of graduate study at the University of Minnesota in Anthropology and Folklore, focusing on how children learn values through stories.

Kay wanted to make a difference through her work.  She spent most of her career as a writer and editor, finding meaning and purpose in roles at Augsburg Publishing, Search Institute, and the Kierkegaard Library.  Kay concluded her career as a grant specialist for Metro Transit, where she helped to plan, secure and implement millions of dollars for capital and operating projects, which significantly improved transit and the quality of life in the region.  But Kay also created meaning and purpose wherever she worked, making lifelong friendships, supporting coworkers through difficulties, coaching them for advancement, or bringing them food and baked goods.

As exacting as Kay was in her work life, she also fully enjoyed her free time.  Baking, painting, crafting, decorating, writing, and singing were all avenues for her creativity.  A deep love of nature infused her weekends, vacations, and day-to-day adventures.  Kay chose her family's first pet, the Persian cat "Princess," which was the beginning of her lifelong love of kitties.  Church camp and trips to the Boundary Waters initiated Kay in the world of camping, while the family cabin on Lake Superior was an enduring source of beauty and wonder.

Kay loved to travel, both for the adventure of discovery and the chance to make new friends and reconnect with old ones. Over the years, her travels took her to Arkansas to volunteer at an elephant sanctuary, to Hawaii (with her mother) to interact with dolphins, and to England's Lake District to hike through the countryside.  Just since her retirement in May, Kay traveled to Connecticut to visit Arleen, Knife River to visit Nancy, Florida to visit her cousin Ian, and California to visit Patrice.  Last year, she traveled to Kenya, where she made friends with the keepers of orphaned baby elephants at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and made yet another trip to England, deepening her friendships with Tim and Sally.

Kay was single for much of her life and proudly independent, but she cared deeply for her family and friends and was quick to offer support when someone she cared about needed help.

When asked for words to describe Kay, loved ones shared these:  Kind  *  Generous  *  Incredibly smart  *  Fun Friend  *  Explorer  *   Passionate  *  Writer  *  Quick witted  *  Excited  *  Badass *  Unapologetically authentic  *  Caring  *  Creative  *  Thoughtful  *  Intelligent  *  Playful  *  Ebullient  *  Curious  *  Strong  * Sassy  *  Astute  *  Determined  *  Honest  * Independent  *  Loyal  *  Organized  *  Talented  *  Bossy (like a Big Sister)  *  Patient  *  Silly   *   Understanding  *  Loving  *  Helpful  *  Uplifting  *  Inquisitive  *  Introspective  *  Spiritual   *  Deep  * Cat Lady  *  Squeezable  *  Author  *  Educator  *  Problem solver  *  Mentor  *  Foster  *  Baker  *  Artist  *  Supportive  *  Imaginative  * Daughter…Sister… Niece…Cousin… Friend…Beloved.

The life of our beautiful Kay tragically ended on September 20, 2024.  After retiring in May, Kay was in Monterey, California, visiting a friend from graduate school.  After a whale-watching excursion, a visit to the Monterey Aquarium, and a wonderful dinner with friends, Kay was dropped off at her hotel.  Soon after, Kay was crossing the street in a pedestrian crosswalk when she was struck and killed by a careless driver.  In honor of Kay, her family asks everyone to start seeing crosswalks and slow down so that you are able to stop if a pedestrian steps into your path.

Grateful for having shared her life are her brothers, Theodore "Todd" Hong, Jr., Eden Prairie, MN, and Steve Hong (Kathleen), Sioux Falls, SD, and sister, Nancy Hong, Knife River, MN; her uncle, Howard Duncan; nephews and nieces Theodore "Ted" Hong III, Mariah Hong, Sonora (Chris) Rickard, Thor Hong, Evan (Lydia) Hong, and Taran Rowland; her cousins, great-nephews and great-nieces; her many friends; and her two beloved cats, Mina & Jasmine ("Baby").  Kay was preceded in death by her grandparents and parents.

Memorial gifts may be sent to these charities that Kay supported or a charity of your choice that, to quote Kay, will "make a positive difference in the world."

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, known as Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, is a charity in Kenya and a registered charity in England and Wales, number 1103836. It is supported by The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA, Inc., a 501(c)(3) in the United States (EIN 30-0224549).

Planned Parenthood North Central States

www.weareplannedparenthood.org

Planned Parenthood North Central States provides, promotes, and protects reproductive and sexual health through high quality care, education, and advocacy. A member of America's most trusted reproductive health care provider, our affiliate is proud to support and operate health centers across our five-state region (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota). PPNCS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 83-0614523) and donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Best Friends

http://www.Bestfriends.org

Best Friends operates the nation's largest sanctuary for homeless animals and provides adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (tax ID: 23-714779).

Wildcat Sanctuary

http://www.wildcatsanctuary.org

The Wildcat Sanctuary provides a natural sanctuary to wild cats in need and inspire change to end the captive wildlife crisis and to help create a world where animal sanctuaries are no longer needed. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (tax ID: 22-3857401).

A memorial service will be held at Transfiguration Lutheran Church in Bloomington, MN, on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 1 p.m., with visitation starting at 12:00 p.m. A reception will follow from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.