Katherine “Kay” A. Nolan a longtime Waukesha resident passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at her residence at Avalon Square at the age of 85. She was born in Butternut, WI on November 7, 1934 the daughter of Joseph and Bernice (nee Ryan) Stangel. On August 11, 1956 she married Dr. James L. Nolan Jr.; he preceded her in death on May 22, 1996. Kay graduated with a nursing degree from Marshfield Nursing School. She began her career working as a nurse in San Francisco and then Marshfield before working as a nurse for her husband’s office. She was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Kay was a huge fan of all Wisconsin professional and college sport teams. She always took the time to attend her children and grandchildren’s sporting events where she was their biggest fan. Kay enjoyed playing golf and tennis and had a passion for music and singing. Kay’s greatest love in life was her family and being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend to many.
She will be sadly missed by her children, David (Allison) Nolan of Ashville, NC, Patricia (Ronald) Olson of Genesee, Joseph (Gail) Nolan of Pewaukee, William (Laura Marcus) Nolan of Grand Haven, MI and Kathleen Nolan of Waukesha. She was the proud grandmother of Matthew (Jyl), Monica (Jonathon), Jacalyn, Samuel (Christine), Bria, Ryan, Carly, Erica, Anna, Abigail, Ashlee, Micah and Jesse and dear great-grandmother of many. She is further survived by her brothers, Harry Stangel, Greg (Debbie) Stangel and Jack Stangel, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition to her husband Dr. James L. Nolan Jr. and her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson Taylor and her brothers and sisters, William, Margaret, David and Sarah.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. until time of the brief service at 1:30 p.m. at Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha. Private family burial will be held on Monday at St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Kay’s name are appreciated to Avalon Square, 222 Park Place, Waukesha, WI 53186 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.