Kay (Cox) Gesaman was born on a farm in rural Monona County, Iowa on October 1, 1939, the first of four sisters (Linda, Marcia and Marilyn), and died February 17, 2026. Her parents were Orval K. Cox and Katherine (Gambs) Cox. Kay attended school in Hornick, Iowa and then the last two years of high school in Holly Springs when the schools combined to form the Holly Springs-Hornick Consolidated School. Kay and Gary Gesaman became high school sweethearts when the two schools went together. Both graduated from Holly Spring-Hornick in 1957 and were married at Hornick Methodist Church on August 9, 1959. Kay exhibited unusual musical talent from an early age and went on to study music at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. Kay and Gary graduated together from Morningside College in 1961. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Gregory and Joel. Throughout her life, Kay contributed to the support of her family by teaching elementary music wherever they lived, in addition to actively participating in church music activities. Their longest periods of residence were in St. Charles and Norwalk, Iowa, with shorter periods in Westminster, Colorado, Storm Lake, Laurel and West Des Moines, Iowa. Kay and Gary enjoyed a wide variety of travel adventures throughout their lives together and spent a number of years involved with the Iowa State Fair. Kay formed many friendships throughout

her life and valued maintaining these relationships. She truly believed in living an open and accepting life.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Marilyn (Mari) Byers; brother-in-law David Ahlrichs; and granddaughter Kara.

Kay is survived by her husband Gary; sons Greg (Brenda) and Joel (Lesley); granddaughter Kaylen Petullo (Daniel); and four great-grandchildren Ava, Decker, Lynden and Hollyn. Kay also leaves behind sisters and numerous other relatives and friends whom she valued and loved.

Celebration of Life Gathering for Kay Gesaman, 86, of Norwalk, Iowa, who passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2026, will be held 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Norwalk Christian Church in Norwalk. Inurnment will be held in the Climbing Hill Cemetery, Climbing Hill, IA at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family in Kay's memory for distributions to Kay's favorite charities at a later date.