Matty Kay Kantarik, 73, of South Range, Wis. died Monday, November 15, 2010 at St. Mary's Medical Center, Duluth, Minn.

She was born September 14, 1937 in Bessemer, Mich., daughter of Matthew and Helen (Hanley) Rein.

Kay was a registered nurse and retired from St. Francis in the Park, Superior, Wis. Some of her earlier nursing career included St. Francis South and Parkland Health Care Facility. She was also a former co-owner with family members of S & R Draperies. Following her retirement, she was a substitute school nurse for the Superior School District.

Kay was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and she had been an active member of the former St. Patrick's Church in Billings Park.

Gardening, landscaping, needlepoint, reading and volunteer work gave her great pleasure; however, her greatest pleasure came from spending time with her family.

Preceding her in death were her parents; first husband, Donald Stark; and a sister, Marilee Bender.

Matty Kay is survived by her husband, John "Jack" Kantarik, South Range; daughters, Cindy (Dan) Telega, Sandy (Steve) Wittke, and Patti (Roger) Stalvig, all of Superior; a son, Jay (Jamie) Stark, Tomah, Wis.; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Pat Rozowski, Superior, and Sharon (Jack) Freeland, Montrose, Colo.; a brother, Doyle (Anne) Rein, Indianapolis, Ind.; and several nieces, nephews and extended family.

Visitation will be from 2 until the 3 p.m. memorial service Friday, November 19, 2010, at Downs Funeral Home, 1617 N. 19th Street, Superior, with Reverend Father James Tobolski officiating.

Following the service, everyone is invited to join the family at the Log Cabin to honor Matty Kay's request for an old fashioned "Irish Wake".