Karen (Kay) Hilton Strahl, 84

Kay Hilton Strahl, 84 died of Alzheimers on February 8, 2021 in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Kay was born on September 22, 1936 in Mitchell, SD and enjoyed growing up in Vivian. Her father Myrle Hilton owned lumber yards in Vivian, Presho and Murdo. After graduating from Vivian high school in 1954, Kay continued her education with a major in Social Work at the University of South Dakota. She was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority where she was a shortstop on their winning softball team. Kay graduated in June of 1958.

Kay moved to California, just south of San Francisco where she worked and met her future husband, Thomas Strahl. They married, moved across the bay to Fremont, and raised their two sons, Jeff and Scott. Kay loved golf, supported local sports teams and had a great sense of humor, enjoying all things FUN. A “side” job for the family was to start and work on a Christmas tree farm, often traveling in their RV. Kay always had a soft spot in her heart for South Dakota.

Kay was predeceased by her parents Myrle and Veronica Hilton, her brother Jim Hilton of Rapid City, and her husband Tom of Nipomo, CA. Kay is survived by sons, Jeff and Scott Strahl, nephews Mike and Tim Hilton, and niece Cindy Wald.