Eleanor Kristine “Kris” Day was born March 28, 1968, in Grand Junction, Colorado, to Billy Ray Matzke and Alyce Bernice Matzke (Wilson). Kris passed peacefully at home on February 16, 2026, surrounded by her longtime significant other, Rodney Remick; her three children, Mckenna Smith, Kenneth Templeton (Samantha Stegman), and Rachel Alber (Cole Krehbiel); and her faithful companion, Dutch, who remained by her side.
Kris loved her friends and family fiercely. The love she had for those she held close will never be forgotten. She will be deeply missed by so many, including her sisters, Keri (Gary) Bailey and Nisha (Don) Clark; Aunt Florence (Rich) Porter; Aunt Pat (AK) Sarin; Uncle Stanley (Lonnie) Wilson; nephew Stanley (Laura) Sullivan; cousins Adam (Dorian) Garcia and Jamie Duke; bonus sisters Rhonda, Karen, Lynn, and Lori; bonus children Savanna Ravelin and Daniel Remick; and her beloved grandchildren Mason, Tia, Emmitt, Adan, Abel, and Alec. There are countless others whose lives she touched — and she’d probably say, “Cut the bullshit,” if we tried to name them all — but know that you mattered to her.
Kris was preceded in death by her mother, Alyce, and her father, Bill. Anyone who knew how close she was to her mom can picture them now — sitting side by side at the table, Alyce on her throne, each with a cigarette in one hand and a cocktail in the other — catching up and laughing for eternity.
Kris and Rod built a wonderful life together, running their own telecommunications company for many years. Their work took them across the country — from Chicago to New York, Florida to Arizona, and everywhere in between — allowing them to do what they loved while experiencing the beauty of the world around them. When they weren’t working, they spent their time mushroom and arrowhead hunting, fishing, camping, and playing pool.
Kris was always ready for a good time and will be remembered most of all as the life of the party. She had a gift for saying the funniest, most unexpected things and loved to sing the most off-the-wall songs she made up herself. She was blunt in her own way and never hesitated to call things as she saw them. Yet she was also the person you could turn to when you needed to vent, often ending the conversation with her signature wisdom: “Sometimes life is just a shit sandwich.”
Kris was exceptionally artistic. She carved intricate designs into eggs, selling her work in high-end boutiques. Her doodles could be found on nearly any scrap of paper she could get her hands on. Most recently, she enjoyed etching images into small aluminum circles and creating beautiful wind chimes.
Music was another love of hers. Her whistled rendition of “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac will live rent-free in our memories forever. And when it comes to Def Leppard — well, enough said.
Kris will be missed beyond measure. But when we see her again, she’ll have her hair and makeup done to a T. And when we try to make plans, we’ll still hear her say, “Let’s play it by ear.”
Cremation will be accorded. No services are planned. Arrangements have been entrusted to Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Oquawka, Illinois. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
