Kathryn Ann Walters Reiswig

Kay was born in Lincoln, NE, the oldest of Howard and Geneva Walters’ five girls. She fell in love with music, earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Nebraska in 1967, then pursued her education in cello performance across the country. She received her Master of Music from the University of Wisconsin in August, 1968, then achieved her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Missouri in May, 1985. She performed and taught with several colleges and universities, and received a Ford Foundation fellowship for string quartet at the University of Missouri in 1978.

In August, 1968, she married the love of her life David Earl Reiswig. They performed together in several orchestras throughout the United States including the Washington D.C. area and Tanglewood, before landing in Kansas City, MO, where they had their two daughters, Elizabeth (Ellie) Reiswig Poe and Christina (Chrissie) Marie Reiswig. After several happy years living on the property they developed, they left Kansas City when the orchestra folded.

In 1984, Kay began working for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC) as a string specialist, and the family settled into the regional music scene where they would thrive for the next 30 years. Kay performed in the local philharmonic and various chamber groups, taught private cello students, and was active in her church ministry at the Methodist Temple. Throughout her career with EVSC, she taught band, orchestra, chamber music, and fine arts at multiple schools including Oak Hill Middle School. She also conducted the Honors Band and Orchestras for several years, and coordinated all-state solo and ensemble events.

Kay was diagnosed with cancer in September of 1996, but was able to overcome the disease. Although her cancer remained in remission until her death, she had a number of complications stemming from the aggressive treatments. Around the same period of time, her husband David was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. She was his caregiver and advocate until his death in 2002. Throughout this period, she raised Ellie and Chrissie and shielded them from the trials she experienced as they finished school and pursued their interests.

Kay retired from full-time teaching in 2005 and became more involved in community projects. She was an active crafter, took a leadership role in church missions activities and other projects, and continued to be involved in the musical community, including the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra’s Crescendo Club and the Evansville Alumnae chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women. She also began to travel more often, with major trips to Italy, Norway, and across the United States.

In 2013, Kay moved to Sacramento, CA to be closer to her two daughters. She spent her final years enjoying family, traveling California, and working on her crafts. She is survived by her two daughters Ellie and Chrissie, her four sisters Carol Soflin, Nina J. Schmidt, Nita Walters, and Elaine Malone, and numerous cousins and extended family, all of whom will miss her greatly.

There will be a memorial service to honor Kay Reiswig's life on February 18th, 2017, at 2:00 PM at her longtime church the Methodist Temple, 2109 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47714. In lieu of flowers, please consider using The Trees Remember (http://thetreesremember.com/memorial-trees/) to plant a memorial tree in honor of Kay’s strength, resilience, and the nurturing light she brought to her friends and family. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.