Joyce S Kay

Joyce S. Kay, age 90, of Holstein, passed away on Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at Cherokee Regional Medical Center of Cherokee. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church of Holstein with Jim Kistenmacher officiating.  Burial will be held at the Holstein Cemetery of Holstein. A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein.

Joyce S. Kay was born May 8, 1929 in Odebolt, Iowa to Robert and Sylvia (Swanson) Gustafson.  She was a graduate of Ida Grove High School. 

Joyce was united in marriage to Herb Kay on March 8, 1951 in Storm Lake, Iowa.  To this union five children were born. Joyce lived her entire lifetime in the Holstein and Ida Grove area.  She was a dedicated wife, mom, grandmom and great-grandmom. 

Joyce was a member of the Holstein American Legion Auxiliary and Ruth’s Circle.  She was a longtime member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church where she volunteered at Logos.  She earned the Good Neighbor Award in 1995.  Joyce enjoyed cooking (best angel food cake and pickles), reading, going to the farm and caring for her flowers.  She and Herb enjoyed taking trips to Branson.  Joyce was known as the egg lady, as she supplied eggs to many local families and businesses. 

She is survived by her five children, Kathleen Wittrock (Bill Ferris) of Cherokee, IA, Mary Gross of Holstein, IA, Susan (Merlin) Jensen of Ottertail, MN, Curtis (Lana) Kay of Holstein, IA and Jeffrey (Therese) Kay of Holstein, IA; six grandchildren, Jarod (Stacy) Wittrock, Michael Wittrock, Katie (Shane) Sauer, Jason (Deb) Gross, JoAnne Kay and Melissa Kay (Derek Lykken); 12 great-grandchildren, Madalyn, Clayton, Mitchell, Blake, Hayden, Emerie, Nicholas, Josh, Andrew Logan, Ava, and Riley. She is also survived by a sister, Phyllis Rabe of Phoenix, AZ, brother-in-law, Alvin (Donna) Kay of Sioux City and sister-in-law, Lorraine Kay of Holstein.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Herb in June of 2019; parents, Robert and Sylvia Gustafson; two infant sisters, Nanette and Mary Ann; and one infant brother; parents-in-law, Carl and Paula Kay; son-in-law, Terry Gross; sister, Darlene (Bill) Bettin; brothers and sisters-in-law, Minnie and Jess Williams, Edna and Ray Nelson, Irene and Paul Ford, Evelyn and Willard Carlson and Walt Kay; and niece, Shari (Kay) Dunnington.

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