Kay Lyn Dumler Dinkel, 67, passed away Wednesday February 15, 2023 at her home in rural Russell, Kansas surrounded by her family.
Kay was born March 12, 1955 in Russell to Carl A Dumler and Florence E (Keil) Dumler. She lived her entire life in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the Class of 1973. She married her forever best friend and love, Bryan on August 10, 1974. They were very proud parents of Brent and Todd. They were the absolute pride and joy of their lives. Kay and Bryan were involved in all of the activities that the boys took part in, and Kay often said that those boys, now young men, fathers and husbands, were the greatest and proudest accomplishment of her life.
This union also brought them four wonderful grandchildren: Braden, Jordyn, Brooklynn and Preston Dinkel. Kay cherished and loved being a grandmother, because she never really had the opportunity to have grandparents in her life, as they passed when she was very young. So, she tried her best to make the most of being a grandmother and being involved in their lives as well.
In her spare time, Kay served as a Den mother for local Cub Scout groups, was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church Altar Guild and taught Sunday School. She also served as a County Board Member for the Russell Regional Hospital, and on the Kansas Center for Assisted Living (KCAL) Board.
Kay was actively involved in the Healthcare industry in and around Russell for over 40 years. She earned her Associates Degree in Health Information Technology in 2001 from Hutchinson Community College, and her Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership in 2004 from Friends University. She loved her healthcare colleagues, and especially the patients and residents who touched her life. She always tried her best to be a good friend, co-worker, family member and citizen.
Kay loved her farm and animals, raising oak trees, and was happiest and complete when she and Bryan built their new home on the farm in 2021. They worked side by side together to make it a loving family home.
Kay is survived by her husband Bryan Dinkel of the home; son Brent Dinkel wife Stacy, and children Braden and Jordyn of Manhattan, KS; and son Todd Dinkel wife Andrea, and children Brooklynn and Preston of Hays, KS. Her surviving family also includes sisters Jean Naegele, Rita Forsyth, Jody Myers and brother Carl Dumler Jr.
Celebration of Kay’s Life will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, February 24, 2023, at St. John Lutheran Church of Russell. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Thursday at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Memorials have been established with Dreiling Schmidt Cancer Institute or Amazing Grace Home Care. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.