Kay Elizabeth Konz

Kay Elizabeth Konz, age 60, of Lincoln, Neb., passed away Sunday, November 5, 2017, after a brief, but graceful, battle with cancer surrounded by family. Kay was born on April 25, 1957, in Council Bluffs, to the late John and Irene (Ausdemore) Konz. She graduated from St. Albert High School 1975, received her B.S. degree Cum Laude from Dana College 1979; M.S. degree in Special Ed from the University of Iowa 1983, Certified from the State of Nebraska as a Mental Health Practitioner 1994 and Certified Professional Counselor 1994. Kay's experience in her field of expertise spanned 35 years by providing education and counseling with her passion being helping children. Kay's professional work experience included the Loess Hills Area Ed Agency as School Psychologist; Council Bluffs School District Teacher in Special Education; Lincoln Public Schools, as School Psychologist; Lincoln General Hospital as a Behavioral Therapist; Catholic Social Services as a Family Therapist; American Guidance Service as Site Coordinator; Departmental Services of Nebraska as Clinical Director; Transfiguration, Inc., as a Behavioral Health Administrator; Kaplan University, Adjunct Faculty and License...[more]

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ental Health Provider as a Private Practitioner. Kay was also heavily engaged with support organizations to include President of the Foundation for Fighting Blindness (Neb./Iowa affiliate); VP of Public Awareness for the Foundation Fighting Blindness; Facilitator of Caregivers of Stroke Survivors for Nebraska Stroke Foundation; Partners with Christ, Head Injured Kids Encounter and Lincoln Head Injury Support Group. Kay received many honors and acknowledgements throughout her professional lifetime career, to include Volunteer of the Year Award 1992 National Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation Fighting Blindness; Outstanding Young Women in America 1987; Outstanding Student in Iowa School Psychology 1982, guest speaker at professional conferences focusing on areas of expertise, and accomplished published poet. Despite her blindness, physical limitations and daily struggles, her family and friends are proud of Kay's ability to embrace life to the fullest. We are humbled by her ability to devote her life to serving others with her heart and soul. Her gift to others through poetry was inspired by her life experiences, struggles, friendships and love of family. Kay was preceded in death by her mother, Irene Konz; her father, John Konz; and her brother, Jerry Konz. In addition to her family, she was preceded in death and survived by her service guides and companions, Hans and Jonquil. Although they were service dogs, they were also faithful friends, loyal pets and companions in life, whom Kay cherished. She is survived by her brothers, Robert (Leona) Konz, William (Kris), and Daniel (Jennifer) Konz; her sisters, Marilyn (Dennis) Jipsen, Rose Mary Konz, Shirley (Tim) Cannon, Colleen Meng, Vicki (Vince) Bjorling, Julie (Jeff) Achenbaugh, and Sandy Konz; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. To read the full obituary, please click here: http://www.cutleroneill.com/obituaries/Kay-Elizabeth-Konz?obId=2697867#/obituaryInfo