Kay Johansen Paoli

Kay Johansen Paoli, 88, passed away on January 31, 2026, surrounded by family who sang her favorite cowboy songs, laughed over silly memories, and sent her off with embraces, smiles, and tears. Born in Castle Dale, Utah, she was the fifth daughter of seven children of Byron and Udella Johansen, who raised their family and cattle there. Kay was her mother’s constant companion from an early age, learning to cook, can fruits from the orchard, sew, and care for her younger siblings. She attended South Emery High School, where she was elected a student body leader each year, served as an FHA officer, and performed as a baton and flag twirler.

After graduation, Kay moved to Salt Lake City, where she worked for a bank and shared an apartment with girlfriends. There she met her future husband, Ray Paoli, when he arrived to pick up one of her roommates for a date. The roommate was not home, so Ray asked Kay out instead. They married in April 1957 and built a home in Elko, Nevada, where they raised their five children. For the next 68 years, their house welcomed siblings, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends of all ages. Kay was her family’s greatest fan, attending every sports event, band concert, awards night, and graduation, cheering her loved ones whether they won or lost.

Those who knew Kay described her as the kindest person they had ever met. She was a beloved wife, daughter-in-law, mother, mother-in-law, aunt, trusted neighbor, discreet confidant, valued employee, and dedicated volunteer. She worked as an elementary school secretary, an Elko Federal Credit Union loan officer, and a bookkeeper. She bowled in the Telescope Lanes Women’s Bowling League, played bridge, cooked for Girl Scout campers, helped beginning readers, and volunteered with the Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital Auxiliary, St. Joseph’s Altar Society, and Humboldt Highroads. Each year she returned to Utah for the Johansen Family Reunion in Joe’s Valley. She loved the Utah deserts, Nevada mountains, reading by a shaded creek, baking birthday cakes, and tending her roses.

Kay’s greatest passion was writing greeting cards. She sent thousands of cards over the years, recognizing birthdays, anniversaries, losses, and special moments with genuine, heartfelt notes, often adorned with her hand-drawn heart. She opened her heart and home to anyone who needed a safe and loving space. She listened without judgment, accepted people as they were, and offered quiet, calming presence to high school students, babies, elders, her own children, and friends in need. She is remembered for her funny sarcasm, sparkling eyes, never-ending love, and selflessness.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Patricia Brinkerhoff Finn, Ina Lee Magnason, Zora Fielder, Jean Curtis, Sunny Nielsen, and Kirk Johansen, and by her beloved husband Ray, who passed in 2020. She is survived by her five children and their spouses—Lora (Russ Minter), Mark (Margaret Paoli), Linda (Greg Williams), Cheryl (Stan Kolby), and Annette (Scott Ruby)—along with ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and three sisters-in-law, Louise Aguirre and Judy Paoli of Sparks, Nevada, and Julie Johansen of Castle Dale, Utah.