Kay Buffington

Medford- Mass of Christian Burial for Kay will be Thursday, December 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Medford with the Wake followed by the Rosary on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Burial will follow after Mass at Calvary Cemetery. Viewing will be Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Kay was born on August 24, 1938 to Joe Kretchmar and Leona Arens Kretchmar in Enid and passed from this life on December 17, 2017 at her home in Medford. Kay obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma State University in Home Economics. While at OSU she was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. On December 31, 1965 in El Dorado, Kansas Kay married Paul W. Buffington. She had lived in this area for forty plus years, moving from Corpus Christi, Texas. Kay’s career included working for Kansas Extension Service in Anderson County in Garnett, Kansas from 1960-1964, in Sumner County in Wellington, Kansas in 1964-1966, Houston Light and Power Home Service from 1967-1969, taught Jr. High School in Willingboro, New Jersey and worked for Texas Extension Service for six months. Kay joined Paul for four months in Thailand. In later years before retiring Kay helped manage Kretchmar Building and Supply in Medford. She was a member of PEO in Medford and active in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Medford, 4-H club and took piano under Mrs. Ida Hardy.

Those who preceded Kay in death include her parents, Joe and Leona Kretchmar, brother, Larry Joe Kretchmar and sister, Kathleen Ann Smith.

Survivors include her husband, Paul of Medford; children, Tamme Lewis and husband, Tim, Jim Buffington and Patty Steffen and companion, Ken Obermier; eight grandchildren, Dalton and Laurie Lewis, Tyler and Kally Lewis, Ella Lewis, Jeremy Buffington, T.J. Steffen, Joseph Steffen, Nicklas Steffen and Troy Steffen; six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews; siblings, Karen and Roger Peitz, Connie Carter and Carol and Gaylen Stocksen.

Memorials may be given to St. Mary’s Church Building Fund through the funeral home.