Rona Kay Caldwell, 78, passed away February 17, 2026, surrounded by three of her children and a family friend. Born November 10, 1947, Kay grew up in Brookfield, Missouri, before living in Prairie Village, Overland Park, Lenexa, Kansas, and Carthage, Missouri. She moved to the Homestead of Olathe Memory Care and Dementia Facility in May 2019. She is survived by her four children, Stephanie (Troy) Earnhart, Brandon (Katie) Caldwell, Jason Cook and Justin Cook; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; three maternal cousins; siblings Patsy Wilson and Karol Terry; and former spouses Karl Jennings Caldwell III and Gary Cook. She was preceded in death by her adoptive parents, Gideon and Daris Ann Caldwell; her birth mother, Ruby Baird Clary; her brother, K. Rick Markley; and former spouse John D. Logsdon. Kay held a variety of careers throughout her life, including modeling, working as a news reporter and driving a L’eggs delivery truck. She loved raising Lhasa Apsos and Pekingese over the years, and they were a special part of her life. She also spent many years researching her family’s ancestry. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 28, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at Rhodes Funeral Home in Brookfield, Missouri. Graveside services will be held Sunday, March 1, at 2:00 PM at Rosehill Cemetery in Brookfield, Missouri. Arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Rhodes Funeral Home, Brookfield, MO. Online condolences may be made at www.rhodesfh.com
Source: KMZU, The Farm
