Jo Ann Jay

Jo Ann Jay, age 91, of Marshalltown, IA, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2026 at Accura HealthCare of Marshalltown.

Services for Jo Ann will take place on Tuesday, January 13 at 10:30 AM at Mitchell Family Funeral Home, with a visitation one hour prior beginning at 9:30 AM. She will be laid to rest at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens next to her beloved husband. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for later designation. Attendees are encouraged to dress casually, sporting their favorite Hawkeye attire. For additional questions or condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

Born Jo Ann Kelso on May 23, 1934 in Marshalltown, she was one of eleven children of Leslie and Loretta (Wallen) Kelso. She graduated from Marshalltown High School and went on to dedicate over 30 years working at Northwest Bell Phone Company: 25 years in Marshalltown and 5 years in Des Moines.

Jo Ann met the love of her life, Roger Jay, and the couple was united in marriage on June 30, 1956 at the Baptist Temple in Marshalltown. They made their home in Marshalltown, where they raised their three children. Many wonderful memories were made together bowling, playing golf and spending summers at the lake in Table Rock. They celebrated 51 years of marriage before Roger’s passing in 2007.

Jo Ann was a member of First Baptist Church and the Telephone Pioneers. She loved watching sports: cheering on the Dodgers and the Iowa Hawkeyes (she even enjoyed watching Iowa State games!). In her recent years, she loved spending time with her growing family and found much joy in playing cards with her “ladies card club.”

Left to cherish her memory are her three children: Cathy Jo (Paul) Calkins of Dillon, Rick (Kathy) Jay of Greenbrier, AR and Roger Jay Jr. of Marshalltown; seven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters: Sally Freese, Connie Calvetti and Colleen Gessel.

In eternal life, Jo Ann is reunited with her husband, Roger Sr.; granddaughter Stacey; her parents, Leslie and Loretta; and her siblings: Jeanne, Marion “Deed,” Ken “Speed,” Lois, Ronnie, and Shirley, as well as Leslie Jr. in infancy.