Kay Crandall

Kay Gortcinsky Crandall, 83, passed away peacefully from natural causes on March 3, 2026, at her home in Idaho Falls, Idaho, with her husband and daughter, Jan, by her side.

Kay was born on August 7, 1942, to Sidney J. Teuscher and Marie Cook Teuscher. She grew up in Montpelier, Idaho, where she learned the values of hard work, kindness, and faith that would guide her throughout her life. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She graduated from Bear Lake High School in 1960.

On July 8, 1960, she married Ronald William Gortcinsky. They made their home in Montpelier, Idaho. During this time they were blessed with a daughter, Cyndia Kay. They later moved to Soda Springs, Idaho, and took over management of the Whitman Matthews Mortuary. They were blessed with a second daughter, Janet DeeAnn. In 1966, Ronald’s career with the Idaho State Police took the family to Pocatello, Idaho.

Kay worked many jobs and found success in her abilities. Her first job was as a waitress in a cafe in Montpelier. She worked at JC Penney as a sales clerk in Soda Springs. She helped open the Montgomery Ward Store in Pocatello where she was hired as a sales clerk and moved up to work in the cash office. She worked at a Pocatello doctors’ office as a receptionist. She enjoyed the work, but not the late hours. She returned to retail sales and worked for Bangs Office Products. Initially hired as a sales clerk, she later moved up to office manager and eventually bookkeeper. After more than a decade, Kay decided to find something new to challenge her abilities. She took her talents to Herb’s RV and later to Idaho State University. Neither position was the perfect fit. When she was offered a job at Deaton and Company, she knew she had found a new home. She made one more career move and worked for Southeast Idaho Council of Governments where she remained until her retirement in 2010.

Kay found joy in simple pleasures—reading, baking, planting flowers, singing, and sewing. She sewed clothes for her daughters and every small appliance she owned had a sewn cloth cover. She even taught her biological mother how to sew. Over the years, Kay was a member of the Silver Chords, the Stock Car Racing Women’s Auxiliary, and American Business Women’s Association, where she was named ABWA’s “Business Woman of the Year.” She learned to play the organ and even spent some time learning to belly dance. She was a loyal and loving friend to so many. She showed her love through greeting cards and homemade treats.

With her family, she enjoyed snowmobiling, stock car races, vacations to Yellowstone National Park and Island Park, backyard camping with the grandchildren, and dutch oven meals.

Ronald passed away December 20, 2009. Kay later met and married another wonderful man, Harvey Crandall. They made their home in Idaho Falls. This union brought many more siblings, children, and grandchildren for Kay and Harvey to share and love.

She is survived by her loving husband, Harvey; her daughters, Cyndia Gortcinsky and Jan Valdes; siblings, Mike (Karen) Teuscher, Nancy (Craig) Preston, and John Legerski. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Nathan (Autumn) Penn, Ashlie (Chris) Reuscher, Chase (Meagan) Glorfield, Andrea (Nick) Burgess, Kelton (Angela) Glorfield, Spencer (Kristi) Penn, Jordyn (JT) Brodrick, Billee (Matt) Hansen, and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald; and her parents, Sid and Goldie Teuscher and Marie Cook.

Kay will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her steady faith, and the deep love she poured into her family. Her legacy lives on in the lives she shaped and the family she cherished beyond measure.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Lincoln 8th Ward, 2349 Virlow Street, with Bishop Lynn Ellsworth officiating. The family will visit with friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Burial will be in the Montpelier City Cemetery.

Kay’s family offers their gratitude for the loving staff at both Fairwinds -Sandcreek Retirement Community and Hospice.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.