Katherine "Kay" Hughes, 82, of Cascade, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at Bickford Assisted Living in Marion, Iowa.

Visitation for Kay will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Cascade, Iowa, where a prayer service will be held at 3:30 p.m.  Visitation will also be held 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial for Kay will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at St. Martin's Catholic Church in Cascade, Iowa, with Rev. Mark Osterhaus presiding.  Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Cascade, Iowa.

Kay was born on October 11, 1941, in New Vienna, Iowa, daughter of Paul and Leonetta "Nettie" (Ries) Pitz.  She was a graduate of St. Boniface Catholic High School and went on to take classes at Drake and Northeast Iowa Community College.  On September 16, 1961, she was united in marriage to David Hughes at St. Boniface Catholic Church, in New Vienna, Iowa.  Dave preceded her in death on February 14, 2000.  Kay worked for Hughes Law Firm and the Northeast Iowa Community College Development Office.

Kay was a woman of faith and was a very active member of the St. Matthias Parish in Cascade, Iowa.  She was a member of Parish Befriender group and the Catholic Daughters of America Our Blessed Mother Court #1926.  In 2003, she was recognized by Loras College as Parent of the Year.  Kay loved to travel, including two mission trips.  She was a woman with many talents: Master Gardener, amazing cook, and a very gracious host to all who entered her home.

Kay was a loving, devoted, and hands-on mother and grandmother.  She would kayak with her daughters, sled with her grandchildren, and attended their many concerts and sporting events.  She enjoyed cards, board games, crossword puzzles, playing guitar and running farm equipment.  Kay engaged in many activities with a great sense of humor and adventure. She loved to laugh.

Those left to cherish her memory are seven children, Kelly (Rich) Molony of Bernard, IA, Cassandra (Dave) Lange of Cascade, IA, John (Brigetta) Hughes of Albertville, AL, Jason (Susan) Hughes of Dubuque, IA, Krista (Ryan) Wierzbanowski of Alamogordo, NM, Ryan Hughes of Burns, OR, and Helen (Jake) Beck of Cascade, IA; 22 grandchildren; 1 great grandson; two sisters, Doris Helle of Edgewood, IA, and Phyllis Jean Hromadka of Dubuque; three sisters-in-law, Elaine Pitz of Dyersville, IA, Donna Hughes of Davenport, IA, and Katherine "Katie" Hughes of Cascade, IA.

Kay is also preceded in death by her parents; one son, Joseph Hughes in infancy; one brother, Gary Pitz; brothers and sisters-in-law, Tony Helle, Robert Hughes, Jean (Joe) Dunne, and Patrick Hughes; one niece, Julie Hromadka.

A video tribute may be viewed, and online condolence may be given to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com

In lieu of flowers the family is requesting memorials go to Aquin Elementary at 608 3rd Ave NW, Cascade, Iowa  52033