Kay Rubendall

Dates

December 6, 1941 - February 10, 2026

Obituary

Kay Rubendall, 84, of Mitchell, SD, passed away Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at her home under hospice care. Visitation will be Thursday, March 12, from 5-7:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a 6:30 PM prayer service. Private burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian.

Kay Rubendall was born on December 6, 1941, to Paul and Frances (Farrens) McKibben in Lincoln, NE. Kay graduated from Omaha Westside High School in 1960. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority and graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1963 with honors. After graduation, she worked at the Children's Hospital in Omaha as a speech-language pathologist.

On June 6, 1964, Kay married Jerry Rubendall at Christ the King Catholic Church in Omaha. Together, they settled in Mitchell, and she was hired as the first special education/speech pathologist in the Mitchell School District under Superintendent Dr. Robert McCardle. She retired after 35 years of service.

Kay was an active member of the Republican Party, serving as the State Chairman for Ronald Reagan's Presidential Campaign. She enjoyed hosting everything from political events to family pheasant hunts. She was a life-long fan and season ticket holder of Nebraska Cornhusker Football and was a proud supporter of Mitchell Kernel athletics, enjoying her grandkids' sporting events and concerts. Kay was a fan of the Texas Rangers due to beloved friends, Eddie and Fran Chiles, longtime owners of the Rangers. She was also a Master Gardener and spent countless hours tending to her flowers and yard.

Kay is survived by her husband of 62 years; children, Pat Rubendall of Lake Vermillion, SD, Ann (Sam) Sidner of Lincoln, NE, and John (Kim) Rubendall of Mitchell; former daughter-in-law Nedra (Mike) Larson of Sioux Falls; sister, Lynn Saunders of Portland, OR; six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Jill Meierhenry.

Visitation(s)

Date
Thursday, March 12, 2026

Time
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Location
6:30 PM Prayer Service

Bittner Funeral Chapel
805 W Havens Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301

Cemetery

Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
Artesian, SD

Posted by Ann Olmsted on February 28, 2026

So very sorry to hear Kay is gone. I am happy I was able to say “good bye”. Kay was a dear friend from Westside. So enjoyed traveling with Kay with the Westside girl friends over the years. God bless you Kay. Save me a place at your table. We’ll have a grand old Westside Reunion!

Posted by Jerry Luckett on February 23, 2026

My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Kay was a wonderful woman who touched so many lives and made such an impact in this world.

Posted by Jason Gosmire on February 22, 2026

I am so grateful to have her as special class teacher i always enjoyed her teaching and help in middle school Kay was the best I'm glad I got to see her twice still sharing advice with the school and not testing for adhd for iep
She was the best thank you Jesus for a wonderful person she was
To Kay's family I send my deepest condolences

Posted by Ray Willard on February 22, 2026

So sorry to hear of your loss.
Kay was a special person who worked with me for many years at Longfellow School in Mitchell.
Kay helped many children find success in their speech problems.
I was always impressed with her positive attitude while working with children and colleagues.
Kay was a good person.

Posted by Derek Smith on February 19, 2026

Sorry to hear this becuase kay helped me in my homework in middle school and she became a really good friend of mine and talked to me in a great way and it saddens me shes gone 1 Corinthians 2:9 states, "What no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no human heart has conceived—God has prepared these things for those who love him

Posted by Billie & Eric Mckillop on February 19, 2026

Eric and I are so sorry to hear this.
Know that we are thinking of you and you have our sincere condolences

Posted by Ardis Beck on February 18, 2026

My heart ❤️ and prayers go out to Kay’s entire family. She was a wonderful educator who supported me as a young educator. We worked together to develop plans and implemented them together. She taught me so much. Her memories will always be with her family and friends.

Posted by Clare Krumholz-Eastman on February 18, 2026

Kay Rubendall helped me with my studies in middle school & agreed to be my sponsor for my conformation. She has made a difference in my life.

Posted by Wes and Sherry Pierson on February 17, 2026

We are so saddened by Kay's passing. I admired and worked with Kay at the Mitchell Middle School. She was a loving soul, thoughtful, and always teaching new things to her students in a variety of ways to broaden and enrich their knowledge. She was so appreciated and loved by those who knew her. So sorry for your loss. I will continue to hold all my fond memories of her dear to my heart.

Posted by Sherri Kelsey Dahl on February 17, 2026

Sad to hear of her passing. Prayers of strength to the family.

Posted by Sara Tackett on February 17, 2026

I remember when I started at the middle school in Kay Rubendall was one of my teachers, and she was absolutely the best. She was good at Co-teaching with Tracy Christianson she was absolutely one of the best I had in middle school. I have so many fond memories of her. She was a great English teacher. I will say she got me through middle school because without her I probably would’ve failed. I love having both of them as teacher…. You will be missed by many sending my prayers and thoughts to your family.

Posted by Mike and Debra Kuchera on February 16, 2026

So sorry to hear about Kay. Our sympathies to you all. Kay was a very special teacher. Appreciate her. And such a nice lady

Posted by Cindy Auch on February 16, 2026

So sorry to hear of the passing of sweet Kay! She was so positive about everything. She will be missed by so many!! Kay helped me get my first teaching job which was so appreciated. Deepest sympathies to all of her wonderful family!

Posted by Kevin Culhane on February 15, 2026

So sorry to hear of Kay's passing my prayers go out to the Rubendall family. Rest in Peace Kay.

Posted by Marvin Jira on February 14, 2026

So sorry to hear about your loss of Kay, she was a grand
lady!

Posted by Jeanne Larson on February 13, 2026

My Sympathies to the family

Posted by Jodie and Dave jones on February 13, 2026

We are thinking of you all and so sorry to hear this !

Posted by Rhonda Broski on February 13, 2026

I am so sorry to hear of Kay’s but know how much she meant to so many people. She started working with my daughter, Cindy, when Cindy was three years old. She always wanted the absolute best for the children she worked with. She will be missed.

Posted by Amber Determan on February 13, 2026

She will be missed by so many. I have fond memories of Kay and thankful for her friendship . Prayers for all of you.

Posted by Gary & Kay Shafer on February 13, 2026

Kay will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. May her soul rest in eternal peace, and may her memory be a blessing that continues to inspire those who were touched by her presence. She was delightful to be with in every path we traveled.

Posted by Deb Herrick Merkwan on February 12, 2026

What a joy it was to work with Kay at MMS. My heartfelt sympathy to her family.

Posted by Deb Tilton on February 12, 2026

Kay was such a kind soul, always was great to visit with her

Posted by Renée Berg on February 12, 2026

Sweet Kay, We co-led yearbook together for awhile and considered drinking because of it. Lol. When I was pregnant with my first child she picked my maternity clothes for me. She will be missed!

Posted by Christeen Scheurenbrand on February 12, 2026

I’m so saddened to read of Kay’s passing…. What an amazing soul Kay was… I so loved all the time we spent together at her nail and hair appointments , all these years chatting and sharing our time together… I will forever be grateful for Kay’s friendship and love she shared …Christeen Scheurenbrand

Posted by Chuck and Jane Amick on February 12, 2026

Our sympathy to the Rubendall family. May good memories help you through the days ahead.

Posted by Tom and Stephanie Long on February 12, 2026

We are saddened to hear of Kay’s passing. Observing her as an SLP influenced me in also choosing that career. Later I enjoyed working with her for a couple years. We always “picked up where we left off” when we would run into each other! May you rest in peace Kay.

Posted by Tom and Stephanie Long on February 12, 2026

We are saddened to hear of Kay’s passing. Observing her as an SLP influenced me in also choosing that career. Later i enjoyed worked together for a couple years.

Posted by Kristy Vobr on February 12, 2026

I'm so sorry for your loss 🙏🙏🙏 my thoughts and prayers are with her family!! I remember Kay Rubendall from Longfellow school!! I had her as one of my teachers!! Rip Kay Rubendall you will be missed!!

Posted by Tracy Christensen on February 12, 2026

Thinking of you all. So sorry for your loss. I have wonderful memories of Kay at the middle school when we co-taught our students.

Posted by Dennis n Donna Morgan on February 12, 2026

Our thoughts and prayers are sent to your family.