Kaye Chestnut

Kaye Marlene Chestnut, 83, of Clay Center, KS, passed away on Sunday December 14, 2025, surrounded by family and friends at the Presbyterian Manor.

Kaye was born on February, 20, 1942 in Clay Center to the late J.D. (Dewey) and Hazel (Hahn) Chestnut. She was preceded in death by her sister Betty Algren (Curtis), her brother Dallas Chestnut (Gloria) and her partner Leonard Harrison.

She graduated from Clay County Community High School in 1960 and first worked at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City until 1966 and then attended Eastern Airlines Training School, graduated as Valedictorian and worked as a Flight Attendant based out of Miami, Atlanta and Washington D.C. for almost 25 years.

Kaye enjoyed her job so much. She loved the traveling, the camaraderie with co-workers and meeting people - including the occasional celebrity. Dave Brubeck and Louis Armstrong were on her very first flight. She experienced a few harrowing moments, including a hijacking to Cuba in December 1968.

After retiring from Eastern Airlines, Kaye remained in Fredericksburg, VA near her East Coast family and worked at Leggett Department Store and White Oak Equipment. She returned to Clay Center in 1999 to be near her hometown family and friends and worked at Seaton Law Offices in Manhattan until 2005.

In Clay Center Kaye volunteered at Presbyterian Manor and with Meals on Wheels, played trumpet with the Clay Center City Band and served as the Director of the Silvertones for 16 years.

Kaye was a music lover. In high school she was in band, orchestra, chorus, Tiger Chorale and Star Dusters. In addition to the trumpet, she played the violin and piano. She loved musicals and classic movies and watched White Christmas every year. She was an avid fan of the Turner Classic Movie Channel and attended several TCM Cruises, meeting legends like Robert Osborne, Debbie Reynolds, Robert Wagner, Cicely Tyson and Kim Novak. She swooned like a schoolgirl when she got a hug, kiss and an autographed book from her teen idol Pat Boone at a dinner in Cleveland.

A devoted sports fan, she cheered on the Tigers, Chiefs, Royals, Jayhawks and her nieces and nephews who were Stafford Indians. She watched her big brother Dal play sports from childhood all the way to his participation in four Senior Olympics around the U.S. Among her prize possessions are two signed Bobby Witt Jr. cards.

Kaye enjoyed dancing so much she had a dance floor in her basement in Fredericksburg. She loved the beach and the pool. She had an infectious laugh, a generous nature and the spirit of adventure. She rode behind her beau Leonard on a motorcycle on many an open road. For a decade she tooled around in a Mustang. She sailed in Miami, bowled in Kansas City and golfed at the CC Country Club. She made it to Scotland with Kerri and finally made it to Hawaii with the family for her 75th.

Survivors include nieces Paula Chestnut (Kevin), Kathy Baker (Mike), and Tracey Chestnut, nephews Kirk Chestnut and Philip Chestnut (Jennifer), great nieces Kelsey (Ricky) and Karri (Alton), great nephew Austin and her faithful pup Rosie.

Auntie Kaye, we thank you for all the trips, the Crab Puffs on Christmas Eve, the fudge for the holidays, the Tasty Pastry Box deliveries to Fredericksburg, the babysitting, the pool volleyball competition, the music and the memories. We carry you in our hearts.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday , December 16 from 4-6 PM at the Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 17 at 10:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Clay Center.

Interment will be after the service at the Greenwood Cemetery in Clay Center followed by a luncheon at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church and can be sent in care of the funeral home.