Obituary of Kay Thompson-Davis

Kay Thompson-Davis, age 67, died January 30th. She left peacefully, surrounded by family, due to complications from a brief battle with lung cancer. Memorial services are set for Saturday, February 20th at 1:00 p.m. at Brick-Meger & Medford Funeral Home. Friends may greet family one hour prior to service. The address is 1603 Austin Road Owatonna, MN 55060. Reception and fellowship to follow immediately after service. Kay was born November 26th, 1948 in Albert Lea to a humble and hardworking family. She was the second and only female child born to Lloyd Van Guilder and Katherine Jane Christenson Van Guilder. Kay grew up and attended school in Albert Lea, MN. At the age of 16, Kay married Ron Thompson, with whom she later had two children: Darren and Kimberly. Kay spent much of her adult life in Owatonna, where her outgoing personality was a natural fit for bartending positions at Jerry’s Super Club and the Elk’s Lodge. She found an outlet for her creativity through photography, and later opened her own portrait studio. A “Sagittarius with a Sagittarius rising,” Kay is remembered for her love of astrology; doting upon the loves of her life―her grandchildren and grand-niece Odessa; and her steadfast loyalty to dogs Stella, Louis, and P.P. Kay volunteered regularly at the Owatonna Animal Shelter, where she offered her time and her gift of photography by taking photos of foster dogs and helping them find their forever homes. She also was of service by volunteering at the Elks Lodge's yearly toy drive and national cancer fundraising walks. Kay will be remembered for her wisdom, love of traveling, the energy she put into her photography, and her empowerment of strong women. Kay was someone many people could come to without fear of judgment. She had kind and loving advice for everyone. Kay was preceded in death by brother David Van Guilder, mother Katherine Jane Van Guilder, father Lloyd Van Guilder and second husband Charles “Buddy” Davis. Survived by brothers Lloyd Van Guilder Jr. (Diane) and Lee Van Guilder (Jean), son Darren Thompson, daughter Kimberley Quam (Craig), and grandchildren Tristen, Lauren, Megan, Sam, and Sedona. Also survived by beloved niece Cherie Cline and her husband Nick, who shared their home with Kay for the last years of her life. Memorial donations may be made to Second Hand Hounds of Minnesota or the Humane Society of Owatonna.