Kay Michael “Sonny” McCalla, age 85, of Howard Lake, Minnesota, passed away on September 2, 2025.
He was born January 11, 1940, in Middleville Township, Minnesota, to Louis Henry and Martha Julia
(Lehtola) McCalla. He grew up in rural Howard Lake alongside his siblings Patricia, Ada, Joan, and David
and attended high school in Howard Lake. On January 5, 1962, Kay was united in marriage to Elvira
Constance (Barlau) McCalla. Together they raised five children—Leah Lynn, Jacob, Bethany, Angela, and
Sunnie Grace—on their family farm northwest of Howard Lake. He was a proud grandfather to Courtnie,
Jasamyne, Jaibyne, and Samaya, and great-grandfather to Orion, Silas, Haaken, Kadence, Emilayne,
Mavis, and Cormick. Kay was baptized on May 18, 1941, and later confirmed in faith at Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Cokato, Minnesota. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He
was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Martha McCalla. He will be remembered with love for his
kindness toward family, his steady presence, and the many lives he touched. Services will be held
Saturday, September 6, at Swanson Peterson Funeral Home in Howard Lake, Minnesota, with visitation at
1:00 pm and a funeral service at 2:00 pm. Interment will follow at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in
Annandale, Minnesota, with a light luncheon afterward at the church.
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