Kenneth Melvin Stay, age 89, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 16, 2020.

Kenneth was born on January 9, 1931 in Mondovi, Wisconsin to Melvin and Selma Stay. He graduated from Taylor High School.  He married his high-school sweetheart, Joyce Relyea, in 1952. They were married for 67 years and raised four children, Barbara, Cheryl, Kim and Kevin.

Kenneth farmed his whole life.  He often said he would retire when they planted him .  He took many rides to see how high the corn, soybeans or hay grew that day.  Farming taught him patience and he trusted in the Lord.  Kenneth was always an optimist.  When a rainy day came, he knew the sun would come out again.  He loved his family and was a great man to all.  He was humble, kind and taught his family to love and be positive.

Ken is survived by three of his four children, Cheryl (Jerry) Dougherty, Kim Stephenson, and Kevin (Beth) Stay, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, in January 2019; his daughter, Barbara (Mark) Nestingen, in October 2019; and his sister, Dorothy (Art) Beaver.

Funeral services for immediate family will be held on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in the Trempealeau Valley Lutheran Church with burial in the church cemetery.  Pastor Natalie Leske will officiate.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no visitation.

The family requests memorial donations to the Trempealeau Valley Lutheran Church in lieu of flowers.

The Jack Funeral Home in Blair is assisting the family with arrangements.