MEADE – Kay Berghaus, age 91, passed away late Wednesday evening, July 8, 2026, at her Meade, Kansas, residence.

She was born August 5, 1934, in rural Ford County, Kansas, the daughter of Leo and Celia (Kenton) Lehmann. As a young girl, she attended grade school in rural Ford County, Kansas, graduating from Dodge City High School in 1950 at the age of fifteen. After her graduation, she attended the University of Kansas, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Business in 1954, the only woman in her class.

A longtime resident of Meade, she was a homemaker, bookkeeper for the family farm, and on occasion a teacher.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, the KU Alumni Association, served on the USD 226 school board and as president, and was a former Meade County EMT. She enjoyed playing the piano, traveling, playing and teaching bridge and pinochle, watching KU basketball and the Kansas City Chiefs, and spending time with her family, friends, and especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

On May 2, 1960, she married Earl Dean Berghaus at the United Methodist Church in Dodge City, Kansas. He precedes her in death on June 14, 2006.

She is survived by a daughter, Teresa Cook of Wichita, Kansas; a son, Marc Berghaus and wife Jeanne of Meade; five grandchildren, Christi Schubert and husband Dustin of Lyons, Kansas, Lori Smith and husband Daniel of Pratt, Kansas, Kelly O'Hara and husband Chris of Wichita, Kansas, Travis Cook and wife Stephanie of Wichita, Kansas, and Tracy Brill and husband Caleb of Hutchinson, Kansas; and great-grandchildren, Logan, Macy, Emily, Kylie, Brinley, Blake, Kipton, Harper, Graham, Elise, Cade, Lainey, Elsie, Laurel, Madelyn, Griffin, and Chase.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dean; three infant children, Shelly Ann Berghaus, Tracey Berghaus, and Evan Berghaus; her parents; a sister, Ann Gould; and her companion and friend, Jack Jenkinson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at the United Methodist Church of Meade. Interment will follow in the Graceland Cemetery, Meade. Friends may call Monday, July 13, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade, to sign the guest register. The casket will remain closed.

The family would welcome memorials to the United Methodist Church or the Meade County EMS in care of the funeral home.