Myrtle "Kay" Lemke Warden, age 87, of Slidell, LA, passed away on Sunday April 12, 2026.

Ms. Warden led a fulfilled active life. During high school, she the played trumpet and French Horn in the school band. She was an award-winning marksman, honor student, and was involved with the Camp Fire Girls and the Rainbow Girls (part of the Masons), and Baptist organizations.

At 15, she fell in love with Air Force enlistee, John L. Warden, and at 16, they eloped to Chalmette, LA to marry. They were married for almost 60 years before John Warden passed away. Their marriage included four children (Helen Warden, John Warden Jr., Linda Sebastain, and Jimmy Warden). As parents, they were involved in their children's activities which included Boy & Girl Scout programs, school bands, Jimmy's group the Zodiac, beauty pageants, and many fund-raising events.

Kay and John moved to Slidell in March of 1963, being a part of the newly formed space program. Kay immersed herself in a bowling league and the many school activities of her children. Out of their home garage, they started their own business, Creative Picture Framing, Inc. Their business retired after 42 years of operations.

Kay's hobbies included: making pillowcase dresses that were donated to young girls in Africia. She owned a massive collection of dolls (as she was only allowed one doll during the WWII era).  A once avid reader, she switched to audio books and loved listening to them on her MP3 player. She also loved testing her knowledge thru crossword puzzles, being an avid genealogist, and spending time with her special fur babies (Mandy, Fifi, and Molly-all deceased).

Kay is survived by her daughters, Helen Warden, and Linda W. Sebastian; her grandchildren, Daniel Warden, Terence Fallon, Joshua (Lance) Warden, Jessica Warden, Brandi Eppilito, Jacob Warden, and Lacey Warden. She is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Archie and Myrtle Lemke; her husband, John Warden, Sr.; and two sons, John Warden, Jr., and James (Jimmy) Warden.

Special thanks to Concerned Care Hospice and Home Health and their nurses, Nikki, and Keefe, and especially Alyssia, her aide.

In lieu of flowers, Kay requested donations be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home in Monroe, Louisiana.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the Funeral Service at HONAKER FUNERAL HOME, 1751 GAUSE Blvd. WEST (IN FOREST LAWN CEMETERY), Slidell, LA. on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 12:00 P.M.

Rev. Robert Smith, officiating.

Visitation at the funeral home on Thursday after 10:00 A.M. until funeral time.

Arrangements by Honaker Funeral Home, Inc., Slidell, LA.