Catherine Victoria Kay Stalker

Stalker, Catherine (Kay) Victoria, 87, a retired insurance executive and longtime Wichita entertainer and song stylist, left this earth to be with our Lord on March 17, 2005. She died at St. Joseph Hospital after a six-month illness. She was a resident of Catholic Care Center in Wichita. Kay was born on a farm near Ellinwood, KS, the second oldest of ten children of Robert and Emma Zecca Hickel. As a young child, she displayed keen talents in athletics, piano and singing. As she grew older, her interests became more focused on her musical skills, which at the age of 19, led to a singing spot on radio station KVGB in Great Bend, KS, followed by similar stints on radio stations, KMMJ in Grand Island, NE and then KANS in Wichita. At various stages of her career, she appeared with big bands conducted by Lawrence Welk, Norman Lee, Jan Garber, Buddy Morrow and Ralph Marterie. She also performed with country music legends “Pee Wee” King, Little Jimmie Dickens, Tex Ritter, “Smiley” Burnette, Red Foley and Marty Robbins. For over three years, she was the Musical Director at Wichita Radio Station KFH, where she also served as staff vocalist for the KFH Ark Valley Boys and the Breakfast Frolic Gang, country bands that aired daily full house live performances at the KFH studios. She also continued to work as the featured singer with local bands and small combos for dance and supper clubs in the Wichita area, while developing a successful health insurance business on the side. In her early 70s, she formed “Kays Kombo” for the express purpose of entertaining senior citizens groups. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Elmer Hickel and sister, Maxine Hickel. She is survived by sons, David Stalker (Sharon) and Dennis Stalker (Jane), Wichita, KS, and daughter, Diane Stalker Butterworth (Jim), Wichita, KS and eight grandchildren: Dave Stalker, Angie Stalker, Lisa Walsh, Geoff Stalker, Dan Stalker, Mike Stalker, Blake Butterworth and Barbara Butterworth Gorrell-and five great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by brothers (former two-time Alaska governor) Walter Hickel (Erm), Vernon Hickel, both of Anchorage, AK and Robert Hickel (Betty), Claflin, KS; and sisters, Gertrude Hickel, Vi McCafferty, both of Wichita, KS, Patty Keenan (Larry), Great Bend, KS and Jeanette Parnall (Jim) of Olathe, KS. Rosary service Tuesday, 7:00 P.M., March 22, 2005 at Downing and Lahey Mortuary East; funeral service mass, Wednesday, 10:00 A.M., March 23rd, Church of the Magdalen; entombment service Calvary Mausoleum. Memorials are suggested to the Catholic Care Center, 6700 E. 45th St. N., Bel Aire, KS, 6226. Visitation at Downing Lahey Mortuary East, Tuesday, March 22nd from 1:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Visitation 6 ~ 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, Downing Lahey Mortuary East. Rosary 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, 7:00 P.M., Downing Lahey Mortuary East.