Martha Kay

Danville – Martha Rose LaFrenz Kay, 87, shuffled off this mortal coil on Friday, November 14, 2025. She was born August 11, 1938, in Independence, MO to Daniel Vern and Marshall Irene (Froman) LaFrenz. She married Robert “Bob” Kay on December 27, 1960, in Liberty, MO. He preceded her in death on January 18, 2011.

She is survived by two daughters, Nancy Lizabeth (Don) York of Louisville, KY and Sara Marguerite (Paul) Hurlbut of Danville; seven grandchildren, Anthony Michael Hickman, Jordan Michael York, Wesley Robert York, Andrew David Youhas, Kimberlyn Kay Youhas, Shelby Lizabeth Youhas, and Haley Danielle Youhas.

Martha was an only child who grew up in Liberty, MO. Both of her parents were teachers, and Martha would follow in their footsteps. After graduating from Liberty High School, Martha earned her bachelor’s degree at William Jewell College, with the promise she could attend graduate school wherever she wanted. Although the University of Illinois was not her first choice, she graduated with a Masters in English after she fell in love with Bob and they planned to marry.

Martha’s forty-year career would begin at South View Junior High followed by Danville High School as an English teacher. In 1969, she was saddened to leave DHS but soon took a position at Danville Junior College where she taught rhetoric, literature, and humanities. She happily accepted the opportunity to teach one of her passions, Shakespearean Literature. Martha was blessed with many close friends during her time at DACC, and shortly before retiring in 1997, she was awarded Teacher of the Year.

In addition to her long and fruitful career in education, Martha was a member of the American Association of University Women and Delta Kappa Gamma Clover Club. She enjoyed local history, tennis, reading, opera, travel and movies. And yes, she especially loved the theater and Shakespeare. Most of all, Martha cherished her grandchildren and gained much happiness from them, especially after Bob’s passing in 2011.

Per her wishes, Martha will be cremated with a celebration of her life to be held at 2 PM on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N. Vermilion St., Danville, IL 61834. Both she and Bob will be interred at Spring Hill Cemetery in Danville, prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to the Nancy Kay York Endowed Nursing Scholarship c/o Bellarmine University, 2001 Newburg Road, Louisville, KY 40205, the Janet Cornelius Scholarship Fund c/o Danville Area Community College Foundation Office, 2000 E. Main St., Danville, IL 61832 or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Please join Martha’s family in sharing memories, photos, and videos of her life through her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.