Kay Slavin

Kay Slavin left this earthly life June 18, 2024 at her ranch home on Carmen Creek. She was a talented rancher, leader, quilter, and golfer and a cherished wife, mom, grandma, and friend. Kay was born October 7, 1953 to Milt “Tommy” and Deoine Thompson at Rigby, Idaho and completed her family of five joining older brothers, Don and Neal. The Thompson home was filled with love, learning, and adventure. Kay had many friends in Clark County and on the Sheep Station near Dubois, Idaho. She rode horses, helped on the homestead, and loved socializing with her classmates whom she stayed close to throughout her life. Always up for a challenge, she met her first husband, Mike Burtenshaw, while water skiing on the Mud Lake Canal in 1970. They were married in 1972 and welcomed twin daughters, Holly and Kristi, and then son, Shawn to their home. Kay was a remarkable cook and seamstress sewing cowboy shirts, dresses and clothes for her young family. She was fiercely optimistic and we will miss her toughness and dependability in our lives.

She was blessed with the infamous Tommy Thompson work ethic and was never idle. Kay excelled at bookkeeping and clerked the livestock auction yard, coached t-ball, taught 4-H, and was a supportive rodeo mom. After Mike’s death, she met the love of her life, Bill Slavin at the Salmon Cattlemen’s Ball. Kay spent the next 32 years at his side in the Salmon River Valley. With their marriage, she gained two daughters, Jennifer and Stephanie. Bill taught Kay to golf and Kay got Bill a passport and together they were a perfect match.

Kay was an advocate for the ranching community and worked on water, grazing, and political issues. She served three times as president of the Lemhi Cattlewomen Association, on the golf board, and was a member of the Elks Lodge.

She was a wonderful Grandma and loved to travel and support her fifteen grandchildren in their sports, activities, and rodeo events. She planned trips and reunions and loved to share her talents and time. Her steadiness, support, and presence will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband Bill; children Kristi, Holly, Shawn, Jennifer, and Stephanie; brother Don; Fifteen grandchildren and Four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services are Friday,11 am, June 21, 2024 at the LDS Stake Center, 400 South Daisy Street, Salmon, Idaho with internment at the Salmon Cemetery, and luncheon to follow at the Salmon Elks Lodge. Arrangements by Jones & Casey Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lemhi County Cattlewomen Scholarship, ℅ Eleen Wiley, 542 Hwy 93 N, Carmen, ID 83462. The family would like to thank Kay and Bill’s many supportive friends for their love and help during her illness and also Brio Home Health and Hospice for their care.