Sandra Kay Elkins

Sandra “Kay” (Berry) Elkins, age 78, of Mankato, Kansas, left her physical body to be with her Lord on October 9, 2018, after years of struggle with various health problems and a final battle with congestive heart failure.

Kay was born in Scandia, Kansas, on July 30, 1940, the daughter of Clara Buer Berry and Emery Berry. She grew up in Scandia with her 5 siblings, Dorthy Berry Keener (Rollie) (d. 1999), Darrel Berry (Dororthy) (d. 1966), Blaine Berry (Wilma) (d. 1978), Glenn Berry, and Sonja Berry Scarrow (Lynn).

Kay married the love of her life, Howard “Bud” E. Elkins, Jr. on September 7, 1957. The couple called several places home during their time together, including Wakefield, Kansas, and Franklin, Nebraska, but settled down in Mankato in 1976. Together Bud and Kay raised five children: Stephen Elkins (Debbie) of Wichita, KS, Kimberly Elkins Pierce (Henry), Joel Elkins (Janie Tyler), Shena Elkins Colson (Gary) all of Mankato, KS; Shane Elkins (Brenda) of Assaria, KS; step-children: Bob McDonald (Colette), Allenspark, CO; Pennie McDonald Close, Columbia, MD; and Cathie McDonald Bird, Pioneer, TN.

During her younger years, Kay was an enthusiastic member of the Mankato Women’s Softball Team. She was an active participant in her church, assisting with the Mankato Lutheran Church’s Youth Choir and Vacation Bible School, and helped with Cub Scouts.

To say that Kay was a devoted and loving mother would be an understatement. She was not only a caregiver to her own children, but to the many children which she babysat over the years. She is remembered by the friends of her children as their second mother, someone who they could always turn to for advice and open arms. She loved nothing more than spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kay collected dozens of children’s books, movies, toy trucks, rubber farm animals, babydolls, outfits, and swimsuits specifically for the slumber parties her grandchildren enjoyed in her home. Those grandchildren were frequent tag-a-longs to “coffee,” the social hour (or two) in which she was a lively participant. On countless occasions Kay watched over her sick grandchildren and cared for them to give their parents a well-deserved break. Loving her family was her foremost and favorite hobby.

Kay was known for having a spitfire and sassy exterior, yet having the greatest capacity for love which anyone could be privileged to encounter.  Those who knew and loved Kay have a bottomless reservoir of heart-warming moments to remember her by.

Kay is survived by her husband Bud, her sister Sonja and husband Lynn, (children Tara, Preston, and Justin), her brother Glenn, and the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren listed below:

Ashley Elkins Cheek (Joe), mother of Bradley and Grainn; Katie Elkins Dhuyvetter (Dustin); daughters of Steve and Debbie Boden Elkins.

Trevor Elkins (Abigail Ost); Trent Elkins; Taylar Elkins Shelton (John), mother of Paisley, Jerzie, Remington, Jaret, Kale, Cole, and Kalee; Tiarra Elkins, mother of Ryleigh, Brenley, and Graci; Bobi Moser Cross, mother of Andrew and Thoran; Chanse Moser, father of Laney; Kari Neilson, mother of Bentley; Lara Neilson Ketterl (Mitch), mother of Collin and Cameron; children of Joel Elkins and Janie Tyler.

Daniel Pierce, (fiancé Emily Reed) and Alexandria Pierce Carabajal (Jeremy), children of Henry & Kim Pierce.

Zach Colson (LaRae Kendall), father of Waysen, Stetson, and Dallasen; Josie Colson Bowers (Wes), mother of Gabriel and Lillian; Gavin Colson (Coral Wallace), father of Logan and Emery; Clinton Colson; and Madison Colson Befort (Dustin), mother of Conner and Liam; all children of Shena and Gary Colson.

Fontana Harris-Dawson (Matt), mother of Forest and Jasper; Chancy Kiefer Moberly (Brandon), mother of Torin; Shylie Kiefer; Kanin Elkins; and Hadley Elkins; all children of Shane and Brenda Harris Elkins.

Family and friends will gather at the Mankato Lutheran Church, 201 S Center Street, Mankato, Kansas on Saturday, October 13 ^th at 2:00 P.M. with a lunch following.  Inurnment will be a private gathering at a later date at the West Lutheran Cemetery.  Memorials may be sent to Mankato Evangelical Lutheran Church or Jewell County Hospital.  Visitation will be Friday, October 12 ^th from 4-6 at Melby Mortuary.