Kay Luella Harsila

Kay Luella Harsila, 86, of Palo, MN, passed away on October 25, 2024 at Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center.

Kay was born on January 2, 1938 to Leo and Marian (Wheeler) Peterson in Litchfield, MN. She graduated from Virginia High School in 1956 and went on to attend Virginia Junior College.

On May 25, 1957, she was united in marriage to Norman Harsila at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Virginia. They made their home in Palo, where they brought up their four children. Kay worked for RGIS as an inventory specialist and on the family farm raising beef cattle, pigs, and sheep.

Kay loved her family, spending time in nature, reading, and going dancing with Norman. She was a member of the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers and attended several churches. She was active in the Palo/Markham community for many years, most recently in the Palo Senior Group.

Kay is survived by her children Norma Jean (Doug) Mackey, Ray (Betty) Harsila, Roger (Tricia) Harsila, and Roy (Rebecca) Harsila; her grandchildren Kaeley (Chris) Cazin, Jill (Scott) Anderson, Kevin Mackey, Kelly Mackey, Kaari Harsila, Wade Harsila, Brooks Harsila, and William Bodee Harsila; great-grandchildren Beau, Colt, and Cale Cazin; as well as numerous extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Marian, her husband Norman, and her brother Carmen Peterson.

Memorials may be directed to Palo Senior Citizens or the American Heart Association.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora, with visitation an hour prior. Following the service, Kay will be interred in Rauha Cemetery and a luncheon will be held at the Loon Lake Community Center in Palo.