Anna Kay

Anna Kay, 75, of Atlantic, Iowa, died Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Atlantic Specialty Care in Atlantic.

The daughter of Clarence and Bernice (Carstens) Eklund, Anna was born on October 1, 1950 in Omaha, Nebraska. Her early years were spent in the South Omaha, Bellevue area growing up with her sister, Carol, and brothers, Larry and Ron. She graduated from Bryan High School in 1968. After high school, Anna worked at IBP and met the love of her life, Charles “Jack” Kay. They were married on June 8, 1982 and then moved to Quincy, Illinois where she attended cosmetology school until they packed up and headed to Atlantic, Iowa. While in Atlantic, Jack worked for the ball bearing plant, Imperial Clevite, in 1984 while Anna worked at local gas station businesses as an accountant. She then went to work at First Data Resources in Omaha where she once got the honor of traveling to London, England to work for two months. She remained working for First Data Resources until Jack passed away in 2004. She then held numerous jobs in Atlantic, including Wal-Mart and Sitel before retiring in 2018.

She had a serious green thumb and loved watching birds, hummingbirds being her favorite! She raised and showed cocker spaniels and enjoyed all dogs; Cassidy and Oliver being extra special. By all accounts, her cooking was the best! When things were quiet, she loved to get lost in a Harlequin Romance Novel. Monday nights were bowling nights with “The Originals” Women League. Before The Originals, she was involved in the co-ed league with Jack at the old Hawkeye Bowl in Downtown Atlantic. Her bowling career didn’t end there. She proudly won the WII Bowling Championship several times while living at Atlantic Specialty Care.

She had a sparkling, sassy personality but her way was always loving. She often said that her greatest accomplishment was raising her daughter Melissa and being grateful to be able to be close to her pride and joy . . . her grandkids, Sydney and Aiden. A highlight was traveling with them to Disney World in Orlando in 2008, and always taking them to special birthday dinners at Red Lobster. Her compassion for her family will be greatly missed.

Anna is survived by her daughter, Melissa Sanny of Atlantic; grandchildren, Sydney of Walnut and Aiden of Atlantic; step-children, Tina (Les) Simmons of Ames, Chuck Kay and Randy Kay, both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jeff (Amy) Kay of Urbana, Iowa, Jennifer (Tony) LoveSmith of Coggon, Iowa; her sister, Carol (Michael) Jaeger of Omaha, Nebraska; brothers, Larry (Donna) Eklund of Beaver Lake, Nebraska, Ron (Patti) Eklund of Bellevue, Nebraska; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles “Jack” Kay; her parents; her in-laws; and her granddaughter, Pam.

There will be a Visitation with family present from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12th at Roland Funeral Home. One month later, on June 13th, the family will be having a Celebration of Life luncheon at Gather and Grace event center in Atlantic from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Anna’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.