Kay Nyberg

Kay M. (Tyskiewicz) Nyberg, 70 years old, died February 14, 2025 at 11:53p.m., after a ferocious battle with pancreatic cancer. March 13th, 2024, was the turning point in her life when she got the diagnosis that changed everything.

Kay was born April 15th, 1954, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Tom and Cleo Tyskiewicz. The family later moved to Rothschild where Kay attended St. Mark's Grade School graduating in 1968. She graduated from D.C. Everest High School in 1972 as the Salutatorian of the class and with perfect attendance, never missing a day of high school. A spur of the moment decision (one of the best decisions of her life) led her to North Central Technical Institute in Wausau graduating with an Associate Degree in Applied Science - Radiologic Technology in 1974.

Kay's first job was at Gundersen Clinic in La Crosse, Wisconsin and she worked there for 5 years before marrying Thomas Nyberg in 1978 and moving to Karlsruhe, Germany where Thomas was serving in the US Army. After Germany, they were transferred to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii for 3 years and then to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Kay worked for the Department of Defense at The General Leonard Wood Community hospital in the X-ray Department as a Quality Control Technologist. Thomas transferred to the National Guard in 1988, and they moved back to La Crosse where Kay once again worked at Gundersen Clinic.

Thomas and Kay later divorced. Kay reconnected with Jesse Brown in 2005 after working together at Ft. Leonard Wood in the 1980's and they became Life Partners. 

Kay is especially proud of the years she spent mentoring a young man at Hamilton Elementary School, in La Crosse, as part of the Gundersen Global Partners and the time she spent volunteering with the Afghan people when they were at Ft. McCoy.

Kay is survived by her 94 year old dad, Tom Tyskiewicz of Rothschild, Jesse, her sister Lynn (Frank) Drake of Wausau, and a brother David (Kathleen) of Rothschild, 1 niece (Londa Rae and her family Jean and Teagan), and 3 nephews (Aaron, Andrew, Zachary and their families), countless good friends - many from her years in Germany, Hawaii, and Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Cleo Tyskiewicz, her maternal grandparents Charles and Celia Raugh, her paternal grandparents Adam and MaryAnna Tyskiewicz and numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

Kay was blessed with a "La Crosse Family" who provided her with love and support throughout the years - Mark and Ashley Neuman and their 2 girls, Kevin Silha, "The Old Bags", Stacy, Dana, Art and Deb, Jim and Barb, and many others. 

Cheryl Krainz, a friend since 2nd grade, helped Kay plan the funeral and offered comfort during the last months of her life.

Though Kay did not have any children, she was blessed with 7 four-legged babies throughout the years, Pooch Mildred, CT, Echo Marie, Esther Margaret, Otis Michael, Edith Ann, and finally Ellie May.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00am, Saturday, March 1, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1333 So. 13th Street, La Crosse with the visitation from 10:00am until the time of service. Inurnment will be private.

The family would like to extend special thanks and appreciation to Dr. Paul Letendre, Gunderson Clinic physicians and staff, and the Mayo Clinic Hospice team. Also, a heartfelt thank you to Jesse for his care and support during Kay's final months.

"Take care of each other, love each other, and know that I'll be watching over you always. When they figure out why people get pancreatic cancer, someone let me know."