Kay Maria Callies

Kay Maria Carlson Osmond Callies

Kay Maria, a loving mother, wife, and grandmother, died on her favorite day of the year, Thanksgiving. For many years, Kay hosted Thanksgiving for scores of family, friends, in-laws, friends of friends, and anyone else who needed a place to go. All were welcome at Kay’s table. There was always more than enough food, and always special dishes for the vegetarians, the diabetics, and the picky eaters. After the Thanksgiving feast came bingo with guests young and old competing for the ultimate prizes - jars of pickled beets and string beans Kay canned from her own summer gardens.

Kay was an extraordinary cook and gardener, a collector of vintage home arts, a proud Finlander, and above all else, a loving caregiver. Born on August 8, 1947, to Melvin and Elsa (Juntunen) Carlson, Kay was raised in Esko, Minnesota. After graduating from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Duluth, she worked for many years at Unity Hospital, the University of Minnesota, Hazelden and Lino Lakes prison. She enjoyed a long retirement while she and her husband Joel spent wonderful years together living in rural East Bethel with overflowing gardens, roaming chickens, cats, and the local wildlife they watched over. When Kay was slowed by heart failure and Alzheimer's, Joel made it possible for her to stay in her beloved home.

She will be dearly missed by her husband Joel Callies, her sons Ben (Ann) Osmond, Andrew (Jennifer Kauls) Osmond, and Jon (Lisa Edge) Osmond, her grandchildren Lily Kay, Elsa, Eleanor, Daniel, Teddy and Benji Osmond, her sister Anne (Jeff) Bodin and her brother John (Sumalee) Carlson and many others who loved her.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring.