Kay Zehnder

Our always-loving and selfless glow of sunshine, Kay (Deetz) Zehnder has taken her beauty, her brightness, and endless energy to heaven. She truly believed that you are never fully dressed without a smile, and she spent her life making sure nobody went without one. If you ever met her, you probably walked away with a full heart and a wrapped plate of food.

She was the steadfast partner to her husband, Kory, and dedicated mother to her four kids, Kress, Kiera, Kesha, and Kershel, and eventually her sons-in-law, grandkids, and great-grandkids. Her love was never windy or wordy confabulation; it was the meaningful, I-will-take-care-of-you-and-never-let-you-down kind. It was the self-sacrificing, living-for-others variety. She was strong, creative, encouraging, and loving. Once, when they added a great room to their house, mom sanded, stained, and varnished 300 wood boards for the ceiling and walls, with a baby in the playpen and two young girls playing Barbies in the yard. We know we can do anything, because Mom would have done it.

She graduated from The Ohio State University and used her teaching degree to support her husband through OSU’s School of Optometry, as he became a doctor and a leader. She was bookkeeper and sustainer in their business endeavor. She sacrificed her own career to be the mom she wanted to give her kids, clocking hours at countless gymnastics meets, volleyball games, and track meets where the cold sheets of rain slapped her in the face. She was the mom who had extra blankets and umbrellas and snacks for us and other kids, too. She was the Miracle Grow that allowed Kersh to flourish, and she and Kory never missed one of the endless parade of Special Olympics events over forty years.

Kay was often the worker bee behind the scenes—baking for the Cookie Walk, running the concession stand at the basketball game, calculating at the scorer's table at a gymnastics meet, and making sure everyone was fed and happy. At church, she gathered the older generation and created the "Young at Hearts" group, planning day trips, organizing games, and encouraging joy and companionship.

Mom’s kitchen was the warmest, safest place. There was always a pot bubbling on the stove or a tray of goodies warming in the oven, filling the whole house with the most delicious smells. Kay was a master of all trades and passed it all down to her daughters. Because of her, they know how to sew a seam, bake a pretty pie, fix whatever breaks, throw a baseball, tie a bow, catch a bug, and stretch a dollar so beautifully that it looks like a million bucks. She often told us, "If you see someone today without a smile, give them one of yours." She gave hers away every single day, leaving behind a trail of joy, warmth, and beautiful memories. She taught us how to live with a generous spirit and a light heart, and we will do our best to keep spreading her sunshine.

Kay was born in Ragersville, Ohio to Ralph and Wilma (Hisrich) Deetz on January 7, 1943, who preceded her in the next journey. Her children Kress and Todd Putt, Kiera and Matt Hurst, Kesha and Brian Gibson, and Kershel Zehnder will miss her very much, as will brothers Don (Barbara) and Dan (Cheryl), and many others. Her grandchildren will not forget her love, her “Barney Bag” of old bottle caps, plastic lids, straws, and twist ties that somehow were magical pieces for them to create playgrounds or wall art. And all will mourn the loss of her never-ending jar of chocolate chip cookies.

A memorial visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. A private burial will take place in Ragersville Cemetery.