Kay Bjorklund reflects

One of the first things one might notice upon visiting Kay Bjorklund's residence at the Pioneer Home is the abundance of pictures decorating her walls. Some are framed, while others are stuck up with pins or leaning against stands on desks. Above her bed is mounted a quilt with screen printings worked into the design. But, with three children, eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, it's easy to see how she would have plenty to put up.

Born and raised in Newcastle, she graduated high school in 1941 and went to work for an oil company that was later bought out. She moved to Billings. Mont. with her cousin, Elizabeth Pzinski, and worked in the office at Cargo Oil. When her soon-to-be husband, Guy, returned from the war he proposed and the two were married in 1945.

Guy went to college on the GI bill, and after he graduated became the assistant manager of the read-to-wear department of JC Penny's in Billings. He had worked for the company before going into the service. In 1955, he was offered a management position for the Thermopolis area JC Penny's, and it was here they stayed. "So we're practically Thermopolis natives," Kay said. After her husband's transfer, Kay worked at First National Bank for about 11 years, before the couple became involved with the Coast to Coast Store, which was later bought out.

"We sort of half retired," Kay said, but they later purchased the Coast to Coast stores in Douglas and Glenrock and later sold them in 2008.

Kay and Guy had a marriage of 64 years, before he passed away in September of 2010, though tears standing in her eyes speak volumes of the love they shared in that time.

As for why they remained in Thermopolis, she said, "When you've live here that long you feel like you're settled in and I wouldn't want to live any place else."

At nearly 94 years old, she keeps busy with delivering Meals on Wheels and being active in the Community Federated Church, as well as activities at the Pioneer Home including league bowling. She is also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Worland chapter, as there is no local chapter anymore.

Bjorklund has also been very active with one of the local Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) chapters, selling See's Candy for their local scholarship fundraiser. She joined the PEO in 1981 and has been selling the candy for 10-15 years, she said. Just this year, she sold $2,281 worth.