Kay M. Helland, 83, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2024 at her daughter Holly's home in Marietta, Georgia, where she had been living for the past seven years.  Kay was born on May 23, 1940 to Vernon and Orilee (Nelson) Kleimenhagen in Preston, Minnesota.  She graduated from Preston High School and just last year, they celebrated their 65th high-school reunion and, although she could not attend, she loved her commemorative mug and hearing all about the reunion.  She went on to work for IBM for 25+ years, living many years in Byron, Minnesota and working at the IBM plant in Rochester.  She then transferred with IBM to Boca Raton, Florida, where she worked as a manager until retiring.  Upon retiring, she moved to Evansville, Indiana to spend more time with her beloved sister, Yvonne.

One of Kay's favorite pastimes was doing jigsaw puzzles.  She also loved crossword puzzles and looked forward every day to the crosswords in the daily newspapers.  She was also an excellent baker and loved baking for others.  She also enjoyed her weekly phone calls with her cousin, Harriet, who also grew up in Preston, Minnesota, before moving to Hawaii, so they always had a lot to talk about.

Kay's children and grandchildren meant the world to her, as well as her grand-dog, Bailey, with whom she spent many afternoons out on the deck, enjoying the sun and the birds singing.  She is survived by her daughter, Holly Helland, of Marietta, Georgia, and daughter, Dr. Karen Helland, and grandchildren, Mikayla and Ryan, of Dunwoody, Georgia.   She was preceded in death by her brother, Verdon; sister, Yvonne; and daughter, Mara.

If you wish, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in her honor.