Kay Harker Radford

Kay Harker Radford, 90, of Idaho Falls, passed away October 18, 2025, at Fairwinds Retirement Community.

Kay was born on August 28, 1935, at home to her parents, William Ernest Harker and Lila Browning Harker. She was the second child and the first daughter of seven born to her loving parents.

The family moved several times before building their permanent home on Holmes Avenue when Kay was entering the first grade. Each day she walked eight blocks to Emerson Elementary School with her siblings. She later attended the new Idaho Falls High School, becoming part of its first graduating class in 1953.

During those years, Kay was active in the pep club and took sewing classes, developing her lifelong talent as a seamstress. Many of the clothes she made for herself and her children appear in treasured family photographs. At sixteen, Kay attended an MIA girls’ camp at Darby.

During a hike to the Wind Cave, a sudden lightning storm struck the group, resulting in injuries and the loss of five lives. This profound experience left a lasting impression on her and shaped the depth of her faith.

Kay attended Ricks College. In April 1993, she proudly received an Associate Degree, walking across the stage with her husband and eldest daughter as witnesses.

While at a MIA roller-skating party at Benson’s Rollway in Idaho Falls, she met Lynn Radford, who had recently returned from serving as a cook in the Army. They married on August 17, 1956, in the Idaho Falls Temple, beginning their life together.

After their marriage, Lynn and Kay moved to California while expecting their first child. Lynn joined his lifelong friend, DeMar Baron, in decades of working with DeMar’s pool plastering business, and Kay devoted herself to raising their growing family. She also enjoyed bowling leagues, oil painting, and creating gatherings of family and friends in their home.

Throughout their lives, Lynn and Kay devoted themselves to service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kay served faithfully in many callings, including twice as Primary President and as Relief Society President. Together, she and Lynn served three two-year CES missions in Savannah, Georgia; Melbourne, Australia; and Muncie, Indiana.

Kay and Lynn were married for 61 devoted years. She now rejoins her beloved husband, who passed away in 2017.

Kay leaves behind her five children: Linda (John) Radford-Ries, Laura (Paul) Gajdos, Gary Lynn Radford, Vicki (Bob) Reynolds, and Janese (Shane) Christley. She is also lovingly remembered by her 26 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, who will carry forward her legacy.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 24, 2025, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue. The family will visit with friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Ucon Cemetery.