Kathleen Mildred "Kay" Lykins

Kathleen Mildred “Kay” Lykins, 83, passed away peacefully in Hayden, ID on Feb. 16, 2018, with her family by her side, after a long battle with Parkinson’s and dementia.

Kay was the second of four children born to Bob and Bessie (Black) Keith. She was born in Los Angeles, CA, and spent her early childhood years in Glenns Ferry, ID, before moving to Elk Grove, CA, at the age of 11.

The Keith family maintained deep ties to the Bruneau Valley, where they spent time with their maternal grandparents, Joe R. and Jenny Black on their ranch on the Snake River, now covered by the back waters of the Strike Dam, and the Black cow camp at Battle Creek, in the Owyhee Mountains. She grew up making very fond memories with her aunts, uncles and cousins.

Kay attended Elk Grove High School where she met the love of her life, Jim Lykins. They graduated in 1952, and married on May 9, 1953, spending most of their married life in Sacramento, CA where they raised their four children, Linda Schwartz (Dirk) of Hayden, ID; Scott Lykins of Fair Oaks, CA; Donna Giannoni (Bob) of Fort Collins, CO; and Chris Lykins of Folsom, CA. They also lived in Orangevale, then Roseville, before moving to North Idaho in April of 2016.

Places Kay traveled to during her life included Egypt, Italy, Costa Rica, Mexico, Hawaii, and too many places to mention throughout the United States.

In addition to raising their children, Kay worked outside the home in the insurance industry from the time she and Jim were married until she retired in 1998. She was known for her kindness and sweet disposition - never had an enemy.

In addition to her four children, Kay is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Jim; her sister, Cheryll Longhofer (Jim); her brother, Tom Keith (Joan); six grandchildren: Gary Gonzales, Stephanie McClelland (Kevin), Clinton Lykins, Krista Kamm (Ross), Daniel Luallin, and Corinne Lykins; and three great-grandchildren: Ean and Kayla McClelland, and Harlan Kamm.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents and maternal grandparents; paternal grandparents Frank and Olive “Jennie” Keith, brother, Don Keith; aunt Millie Alltucker (Bob); uncles, Albert Black (Bonnie); Paul Black (Mattie); and many cousins in the Black family.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Memorials in Kay’s honor can be made to the Bruneau Cemetery, c/o Lez Rahn, 30073 Hot Springs Rd., Bruneau, ID 83604.