Kay Lynn Baumert

Kay Lynn Baumert, 76, of Twin Falls, Idaho, passed away on March 17, 2026, surrounded by her greatest blessing and legacy – her children and grandchildren. Even through her recent battle with cancer, she maintained her toughness, faith and love of family and friends.

Kay’s life can best be encapsulated by four Fs: Family, Faith, Food and Fun. In her too short 76 years with us, she experienced an abundance of each.

Family: She was born in 1949 to Cleo and Dortha Shorthouse. Kay spent her early years in Twin Falls, Idaho with her siblings Dave Shorthouse and Pat Walsh. All three attended the kindergarten class taught by the “world renowned” Dortha Shorthouse (their mom). Kay ultimately graduated from Twin Falls High School. It was there that she met the love of her life – Scott David Baumert. They were married in 1967 and spent 47 incredible years together until Scott passed away in 2014. They raised two children - Nick Baumert and Jenny (Baumert) Taylor. Kay was their biggest cheerleader growing up and could always be found at the gym or ballpark supporting their sports adventures. She was instrumental in helping Nick obtain his Eagle Scout, teaching his scout group the God and Country program. For Jenny, she was there every step of the way to helping her become Honored Queen of Job’s Daughters Bethel 43.

Once her children were older and married – Nick to Karen (Irwin) and Jenny to Larry Taylor – Kay poured her energy into her greatest treasure, her grandkids. From the moment the first two were born until her last Christmas, she hosted yearly cousin slumber parties. Every grandkid received pajamas and a Christmas ornament and some memorable experiences like the year she and Scott held dinner outside in a foot of snow to roast hotdogs and s’mores.

Kay’s grandchildren include Katelynn and Kylie (Nick and Karen) and Kelsie, Beau, Victoria and Scotlyn (Jenny). She also was blessed with her first great grandchild Carmen (Kelsie and Brian Hall).

Kay never missed a chance to support her grandchildren’s sporting or 4-H events.

Faith: Anyone who knew Kay knew that there was nothing more important to her than her love of God. She worked alongside Scott through as they owned Baumert Vending and Amusement early on. But it was their purchase of the Christian Bookstore that allowed them to serve God and the Twin Falls community for many years.

While she was able to serve God in those jobs, it was her work with Bible Study Fellowship that fueled her Godly fire. Kay was the Teaching Leader for BSF for 13 years. She later was a group leader for the evening women’s class and most recently was taking her great-granddaughter Carmen to the pre-school program.

Once they sold the Christian Bookstore, Kay worked at Sawtooth Dental where she was still able to be a Christlike example to all she served.

Early in her faith journey, Kay attended the First Christian Church. Most recently, she was a member of the Twin Falls Reformed Church.

Food: You can’t really share any part of Kay’s life story without mentioning food! A masterful chef, there was never a Baumert Family function without enough food to feed the entire neighborhood. And with those gatherings, there were always traditions – the most memorable being Christmas morning. Kay would cook what seemed like all night to have chicken-fried deer steak, biscuits and gravy, three kinds of quiche, homemade baked apples and homemade cinnamon rolls.

Another tradition was yearly salsa making parties. Kay also liked to garden, so the family would come together once a year to make pints and pints of homemade salsa at her house and finish the evening eating tacos and enjoying the fresh salsa.

Fun: Kay maintained a love of adventure and delighted in fun throughout her life. Through one of her hobbies of camping, she would combine family, food, faith and fun all into every trip to the mountains. It was there that her children and grandchildren were able to unplug and just enjoy time spent with their mom and nanny. There might have even been a camping trip where she encouraged them to create bottle rockets in the fire – only a couple small injuries ensued.

Painting and art brought great joy to Kay. She hand-painted stockings for every member of the family to fill at her house Christmas morning. She also loved to paint old antique windows or use her calligraphy skills to create beautiful artwork. Whenever someone in the family needed to do a project – sewing, crafting, painting – she was there to help.

Kay was honest, bold, resilient and compassionate in all she did. Her love for God, family and friends defined her. Even through her battle with cancer, she showed up. To the very end, she focused on others and her love for them. There is no doubt as she entered the Kingdom of God she heard the words “Well done good and faithful servant.”

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to their favorite charities in Kay’s name.