Kathryn 'Kay' A. Hammerbeck passed away Tuesday, February 23, at Superior Rehab and Nursing Center with her family by her side.

She was born on July 31st, 1918 in Barnum, Minnesota.

She graduated from Brainerd High School in 1936 and graduated as a Registered Nurse from St Luke's School of Nursing in Duluth in 1939. Kay worked as private nurse during World War II and later worked at St Joseph's Hospital in Superior and retired from the Superior Clinic after a long and distinguished career as a well-respected and patient friendly nurse.

Kay married Herman Hammerbeck in Brainerd on December 13, 1941 and recently celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary. She became very active in civic and neighborhood activities including the Bridge and Garden clubs and Superior Women's club. She was known as the neighborhood nurse for cuts and bruises, instructor for knitting and sewing lessons and an overall caring and compassionate person for all who knew her. She enjoyed knitting as a past time and produced countless sweaters, hats and scarves for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She learned the knack of haircutting, Christmas sausage and tart recipes and even Lutfisk. She never missed a Little League, Babe Ruth or youth hockey game. When Bruce and Paul entered high school she was a fixture at the football, basketball, hockey and baseball games (rain or shine). Upon their retirement they spent over 20 years wintering in the Phoenix area. During the summer, she spent her time at their beautiful Whitefish Lake cabin in Gordon, Wisconsin with her children and close relatives living nearby.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ellen Nelson; her brother, Roger Nelson; and infant granddaughter, Kristen Hammerbeck. She was also preceded in death by her very close brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws, Donald Morton, Ray and Betty Melhus, Will and Peggy Doig, Walt and Alta Moe, Glen and Pat Hammerbeck and John and Lavonne Hammerbeck, with whom she had many great times and memories.

She is survived by her husband, Herman; sons, Bruce (Susan), Paul (Marilyn); grandchildren, Christopher Hammerbeck, Heidi Marin, Lisa Jewson and Kristen Hammerbeck; and great-grandchildren, Eve, Cecelia, Christopher and Caroline Jewson.

A private family service will be held at Downs Funeral Home.

A celebration of Kay's Life will held in July at her beloved Whitefish Lake cabin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to your favorite charity in Kay's name.