Kay F. (Petersen) Mastel, 79, of Seward, Nebraska, passed away on October 22, 2026. Born February 8, 1947, in York, Nebraska, Kay was the daughter of Glenn and Carol Petersen of rural Stromsburg, Nebraska. She was raised on the farm alongside three siblings and graduated from Stromsburg High School.
After graduation, Kay moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where she worked at a city library. She later met Leo Mastel, and they married in the early 1970’s. Leo’s work brought them to Seward, Nebraska, where they settled and raised their family. Each summer the family took a week’s vacation—often traveling to visit loved ones in South Dakota or western Nebraska—maintaining the kind of close family ties that mattered to her.
Kay worked at the Seward Hospital in laundry and housekeeping and also served as a dietician in the cafeteria. She retired in her early 60’s. After retirement, she volunteered at the Seward Senior Center where she organized the schedule for the courtesy van and drove it as well.
To her family, Kay was known for her early mornings and her steadfast routines—up early, running the vacuum at 6:00 a.m., and would take the boys to the café for breakfast if they would get out of bed in time. Saturdays often included a trip to the bakery for a doughnut, and July 4th was enjoyed from the front porch. She loved cats, collected angels, and enjoyed the simple pleasure of garage sales. Kay also valued the companionship of a couple of close friends with whom she shared time and conversation.
Kay was a devoted member of Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, where she also served lunch for funerals.
Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Mastel; her parents; her sister, Kristine Petersen; and her stepsons, Dan, Joe and Greg Mastel. She is survived by her sons, Nathan (Kathy) and Noah (Barb) Mastel; her stepdaughters, Theresa (Marty) Peck, Joyce (Ted) Muckey, and Rita (Bruce dec) Jeffs; 18 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; and many nieces, nephews, and close friends.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 6:30 pm, October 29, 2026, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 South 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska, followed by the Rosary at 6:30 pm.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am, October 30, 2026, at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 152 Pinewood Ave, Seward, Nebraska. Private family burial will be held at Lincoln Memorial Park & Cemetery.
The family encourages memorial donations to Seward Senior Center, 1010 Manor Dr West, Seward, Nebraska 68434, and Saint Vincent de Paul, 152 Pinewood Avenue, Seward, Nebraska 68434.
