Zelma (Carlson) Kay
Zelma was born on July 8, 1924, in Medicine Hat, Alberta and passed away on May 28, 2023, in Lacombe, Alberta.
She was predeceased by her husband: Tom and her son: Cliff, her brother: Dean Carlson and her two sisters: Norma Spangler and June Spangler.
Left to cherish her memory are: Her daughter: Lenna (Garth) Cordett of Lake Country, BC
Her sons: Warren (Cheryl) Kay of Lacombe, AB and Nic Kay (Till Regular) of Lloydminster, AB
Thirteen Grandchildren and Nineteen Great Grandchildren and many nieces and nephews
Zelma grew up in Skiff, AB, where she along with her family became Adventists. She attended CJC and worked as a colporteur in the summer to pay for tuition. While at school she met Tom Kay and they were married on December 11, 1945. Tom and Zelma made their home on the farm near Stettler. They were blessed with four children: Lenna, Cliff, Warren, and Nic.
She was active in the church as Dorcas Leader, leading out in Children’s Sabbath School and Vacation Bible School. At times they took other children into their home when needed and eventually cared for foster children. In 1978 she laid to rest her son Cliff after a valiant battle with cancer.
For many years they spent the winters in California and eventually Oregon, were Tom and his brother Ernie purchased a ranch. The raised a variety of animals that included: wallabies, goats, and miniature donkeys. The children enjoyed visiting with the grandchildren who would go exploring the land with its beautiful trees and even caught some fish in the pond.
By now they had left the farm near Stettler and had moved to Lacombe. In 2010 they sold their home and moved into Royal Oak where she lived until a year after had Tom passed away. She then moved into the Lodge and was happy residing there for the next 7 years. She enjoyed traveling to spend a month with Lenna in the fall on many occasions. Drives into the country around Gull Lake or out to Stettler were always enjoyed as she would notice the progress of the grain growing in the fields.
She appreciated the loving care she received at the lodge, especially the good meals and the beautiful displays that decorated the entrance. She looked forward to daily phone calls from her daughter Lenna and frequent visits from Warren and Cheryl. Friday evenings Lenna would play the piano in her home in Lake Country BC and Mom would listen on the phone as they welcomed the Sabbath together. Her favorite programs were The Gathering Place and The Heritage Singers on LLBN. She was glad when Nic would call and always enjoyed the baked goods, Till made for her at Christmas time.
Zelma will be remembered as a very gentle, kind person with a winning smile and caring heart. She was a loving devoted wife, an understanding mother and grandmother, an avid letter writer and journal keeper and faithful child of her Saviour, Jesus Christ.
