Kay Anne Wilhelm

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Kay Anne (Goforth; Gatz) Wilhelm, who left this world on 2 February 2025 at the age of 90 in Parker, Colorado.

She was born on 4 April 1934 to Claude Harold Goforth & Viola Josephine Denton and was raised in McPherson, Kansas.

Kay Anne was the apple of her parents’ eyes. After they enrolled her in a dance class at the age of 2, Kay Anne displayed extraordinary talent and twinkle-toed her way to childhood stardom. 

The blond, blue-eyed young phenom spent two summers—when she was 6 and 8—in Hollywood taking lessons from her former dance teacher from Salina, Kansas. Kay Anne took lessons at Gene Kelly’s brother’s dance studio in Indianapolis during yet another summer—and, as luck would have it, Gene Kelly was visiting at the time. Kay Anne danced for Gene, who declared, “This little girl has got it!”

The “it” girl danced her way across the country and by the time she was 9 had performed in nearly every state of the union. She toured two summers with USO units and received the USO award for donating 1,000 hours of entertaining at military camps throughout the United States.

During her high school years, she was picked up three days a week at school and whisked down to Wichita to perform with The Dick King Orchestra.

Then at barely 18, Kay Anne was chosen by the McPherson Junior Chamber of Commerce to represent McPherson in the 1952 Miss Kansas pageant. She was crowned Miss Kansas of 1952, a testament to her beauty, confidence and poise. She subsequently spent a dreamy week in Atlantic City, New Jersey, at the Miss America pageant, where she posed for pictures with Marilyn Monroe, who was grand marshal of the pageant.

She shifted gears during her second year at Kansas State University, quit school and married Bill Gatz of McPherson, which union was blessed with three children: Charla, Julie and Mark. She operated Kay Anne’s School of Dance in their basement during their childhood years, presented many dance recitals, taught large-group dance classes at the YMCA, choreographed routines for the May Fete at the Bandshell in Lakeside Park, choreographed and participated in a routine performed by the Sunflower Girls for Bob Dole during a visit to McPherson, served as choir director at her church, was a member of many McPherson clubs and was the most popular dance partner at Country Club dances.

She changed gears again in 1976 and moved to Colorado, where she climbed the ladder from secretary to director of human resources plus secretary of the board of a top 10 cable television company. After 11 years in Denver, Kay Anne followed her dream of living in the Rocky Mountains and moved to Eagle, Colorado, where she built a real estate company and career.

Kay Anne was a glamorous, magnetic force of nature—truly a stick of dynamite in high heels and lipstick. She was passionate about her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the mountains (especially during fall leaf viewing when the aspen trees were ablaze with brilliant color), winters in Kauai and watching hummingbirds on her deck on the side of a mountain.

She is survived by: her beloved children: Charla Gatz-Johnston (Jim), Julie Gatz and Mark Gatz (Misty); three grandchildren: Sean Hughes (Malorie), Jordan Butler (Justin) and Sage Hughes; one step-granddaughter: Heather Decker (Cody); four great-grandchildren: Cade, Bodhi and Elle Butler, and Lillianna Hughes; two step-great-grandsons: Finnegan and Kilian Decker; and companion Art Unger.

We, whom Kay Anne left behind, feel blessed to have basked in the glow of her love. She will be desperately missed by the family and friends she deeply loved and cherished. Blessed be the ties that bind.

Kay Anne was preceded in death by: first husband Bill Gatz, second husband David Wilhelm, father Claude Goforth and mother Viola Gordon.

In honor of Kay Anne’s wishes, the family will participate in a graveside service at a later date. A celebration of her life is being planned for springtime in McPherson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eagle Valley Library of Eagle, Colorado, in memory of Kay Anne.