Kay F. Gonitzke

Kay Frances Fitzsimonds-Gonitzke, a beloved Mother, Grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully in her home in Billings, Montana, on December 6th, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.

Kay was born and raised in Walhalla, ND. After graduating high school, she attended North Dakota State University to earn a degree in speech pathology. She enjoyed being a speech therapist but retired early to raise her family.

She moved to Billings, MT with her husband where she built her life and helped grow a successful family business. Kay was very sociable and loved making new friends; she participated in many women's groups and church activities.

Kay had many talents, but her cooking was legendary! Everyone always asked for her recipes, but it never tasted the same without her loving touch. Her home was always filled with warmth, love, and generosity.

Kay had one of the most giving hearts, and she loved to do things for others. She had an incredible sense of style; we always loved it when she said she was cleaning out her closet. She enjoyed helping others decorate and create summer flowerpots. Everything she touched was beautiful.

Above all Kay loved all her grandchildren and couldn’t say enough good about them. One of her greatest joys was being their grandma.

Kay is at peace now, and while she will dearly be missed, she will live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved her.

Kay is survived by her three children and their families: Jonathan and Edie Gonitzke and their children Jesse and Ashley Gonitzke; Kristin Gonitzke and her children Payson and Keiran Jensen; Lindsay Gonitzke and her daughter Adah Gonitzke. Other surviving family members are her children's father, John Gonitzke; and her brother, Robert and Cynde Fitzsimonds and their families: Ryan and Chris Fitzsimonds and their children Kealie, Myah, Logan, Teagyn, and Nash; Jaci Fitzsimonds-Udcoff and Jonas Udcoff and their children Jevin and Jett Udcoff.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Vernon Fitzsimonds and Kathleen Howell-Fitzsimonds of Walhalla, North Dakota.

A memorial service to honor Kay will be held at 3:00pm on Wednesday December 17th, 2025 at Michelotti Sawyers Mortuary, 1001 Alderson Ave, Billings, MT 59102.

There will be a reception of friends and family after the memorial service in the Ponderosa room at the DoubleTree.

Kay will be laid to rest in the Fitzsimonds family plot in Walhalla, North Dakota at the Walhalla Hillside Cemetery. There will be a small gathering of family for the graveside service during summer 2026.

Flowers may be sent to the Michelotti Sawyers Mortuary, or in lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.