Jan. 14, 1904 – Feb. 9, 2004

Herman Kay, beloved adopted grandfather and friend, died Monday, Feb. 9, 2004, at Castle Ridge Care Center, Eden Prairie, Minn.

Herman was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian Irene Erickson; his parents: Fritz Kay and Karoline Kruse Kay; a sister, Mata Kay Powers;

twin brother, Harry Gustav Kay; and brother, Clarence Kay.

He is survived by the follopwing nieces and nephews: Joanne Powers Proett of Wayne, Neb., Chuck and Ann Kay of Warrensburg, Mo., Karol Lou Kay Beaver of Salt Lake City, Utah, Bob and Shirley Kay of Boca Raton, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. Herman is also survived by several nieces and nephews from the Erickson families.

Herman has been a part of the Don and Janie Christensen family for some 23-plus years. He developed a close connection with their oldest daughter, Jacquie Christensen and her former husband Terry Sanders, when they were living in Sioux City, Iowa. Herman often spoke of his and Lil’s longing to have children of their own, and he sought this even after her passing. Herman claimed the title

of “Grandfather” on Feb. 8, 1984, when Heather Jayne Sanders was born at St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center in Sioux City. The entire Christensen family has embraced him warmly. Members of the Christensen family include: Jodi and Jon Greiner, Brad, Erik;

Judy Christensen-Walden and Rocky Walden, Alexis, Taylor; Jayne and Larry Breid, Aaron, Rachel and Daniel, all from the Minneapolis area.

Herman moved from Sioux City, Iowa, to the Minneapolis area in September 1998 to be near Jacquie and her daughters: Heather and Bethany Sanders. Due to changes in his health, he took residence in the WestRidge Retirement Community in Minnetonka where he lived independently for the next four years. Following a fall in October 2001, Herman became a resident of Castle Ridge Care Center in Eden Prairie until his passing.

His family and friends will greatly miss his tender heart and fun loving spirit.

Herman’s immense love for children was beyond words.

Blessed be his memory.

A celebration of Herman’s life of 100-plus years is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 1 p.m. at the WestRidge Retirement Community, 11201 Fairfield Road, Minnetonka, Minn.