LaCRESCENTA, Calif. — Born Aug. 4, 1941, on a farm northeast of Crofton, to Carmelita (Tramp) and Severin Hoebelheinrich, Kay (Mary Kay Hoebelheinrich) Goeden died April 9, 2026. A Mass will be held at St. James the Less Catholic Church, La Crescenta, Calif., May 15, at 11 a.m. Family and friends are warmly invited to attend a reception at the family home following the service to celebrate her life. A graveside service will be held in Crofton, later in the year. Kay began her education in a oneroom schoolhouse before attending St. Rose Grade School. Kay attended Mount Marty High School, Yankton, S.D., graduating in 1959. She then attended Mount Marty College and graduated in 1962 with a teacher dertificate. She began her teaching career as the first lay teacher at St. Rose, Crofton, and later taught at Pius X in Omaha, until 1963. That same year, she married Richard Goeden and moved to Hawthorne, Calif., where she continued teaching at a parochial school. In 1967, they relocated to Tujunga, Calif. Dedicated to caring for others, Kay returned to school in 1983, and earned her registered nursing degree. She went on to work at City of Hope in the Pediatric Oncology Division, working night shifts so she could spend her days with her family. Kay and Richard raised their five children together.

In 1998, Kay married Omer Goeden, following the passing of his wife, Valdene. They shared a love of travel, rock collecting, playing cards and square dancing. After Omer’s passing in 2009, Kay remained active in her community, continuing to square dance and enjoying games like bunco and canasta with friends.

Kay was deeply committed to service. She provided the eucharist to home-bound seniors. Alongside friends, she prepared care packages and wrote letters to soldiers, ensuring they felt remembered and appreciated. She was an active member of the Red Hat Society, the Women’s Club and Senior Club. Known for her warmth and outgoing nature, Kay touched countless lives and will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Kay is survived by her five children, Dale (Diane), Brenda (Joel), Brad, Rick (Kathy), and Deb (Cliff) (all Goedens); her grandchildren, Connor and Abby Goeden (Rick and Kathy); her brother, Ronnie (Jan) Hoebelheinrich; her sister, JoAnn (Ken) Woockman; brother-in-law Wayne (DelRae), and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Omer Goeden; her sister, DelRae Meridith; and her brother, Roger Hoebelheinrich.