PIERRE, SD  – Kathryn (Kay) Joan Tobin (Nylander) formerly of Pierre, SD and Sioux Falls, SD passed away unexpectedly at her home in Surprise, AZ on Wednesday, July 10th, 2024. Funeral services will be held at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church at 10:00am on Saturday, October 5th.

Kay was born on August 19, 1943, in Hoven, SD to Elmer and Margaret Nylander. She grew up on a farm that she loved just outside of Lebanon, SD. Kay went on to graduate high school from Mount Marty High School, Yankton, SD. She then attended SDSU and received a degree in Medical Technology. Kay married the love of her life Richard Tobin on August 22, 1964, and went on to spend the next 58 years raising their family and cherishing each other. She was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend to anyone that had the pleasure of meeting her. Kay’s love and support for her family and friends was truly unparalleled as she loved everyone dearly and deeply.

Kay and Rich had three daughters Jeanie, Jill, and Jenifer and was a wonderful mother and eventually grandmother to her granddaughters Hannah and Lexi and grandsons Nick and Jackson. Their family spent many hours on the lakes/rivers around Pierre, on the golf course, the softball diamonds or on the ski sloops. Kay loved sharing family time with friends over wonderful dinners or celebrations. She was the consummate host and always welcomed everyone to join.

Kay had a very deep and rich faith and lived by two guiding factors, love your neighbor as yourself and love God above all else. Kay had health and life struggles but never faltered in her faith. She also believed that Jesus gives us only one criterion by which we will be judged by God in the final accounting of our lives, the love we showed one another and how we took care of other’s needs.

Kay had many loves, she Kay enjoyed playing golf with Rich and with their wonderful circle of friends, cards on Friday and Saturday nights with friends in South Dakota and Arizona, she would never turn down a bridge game with anyone of her dear friends. She loved the games/activities but what she desired mostly is to be around people she loved dearly. She was also an avid sports fan. She followed her girls and grandchildren’s sports activities closely. She loved to watch the Twins, Vikings, Suns, and any other sporting event she could find on TV. She would always say it is a good day when she could find sports on TV.

She is survived by her daughter Jeanie Tobin of Phoenix, Arizona, daughter Jenifer Tobin of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; son-in-law Chad Gusso (Jill) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; her grandchildren Hannah Nesheim (husband Tyler) of Ethan, South Dakota, Lexi Gusso (significant other John) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Nick Gusso of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Jackson Geerts of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; sister-in-law Joan Rausch of Fort Wayne, Indiana and brother-in-law Gene Tobin of Gettysburg, SD, and countless nieces and nephews.

Kay was preceded in death by her beloved daughter Jill Gusso, and the love of her life Richard Tobin, her parents, Elmer and Margaret Nylander, parents-in-law Jack and Neva Tobin, her brother, Larry Nylander and his wife Donna, her sister-in laws, Angie Klaus, Donna Ellis (husband Chuck, Marilyn Tobin, and brother-in-law Francis Rausch.

But the one who endures to the end will be saved. This is said because many begin but few reach the end. There is always pleasure in the beginning, but the end is the time of testing. The very essence of a good live is a good death. Kay had a good live and a quick death. We will miss her every day .

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