Michaela "Kala" B. McKay

Michaela “Kala” B. McKay, 79, of Spalding, Nebraska, passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 29, 2026, at St. Michael’s Church in Spalding, NE with Fr. Lawrence Vadakkan officiating. Interment will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Spalding, NE. Visitation will be 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday at the church with a 7:00 p.m. wake service.

Memorials may be designated to the family.

Levander Funeral Home of Spalding, NE is in charge of arrangements.

Kala was born on November 26, 1946, to Alfred and Benedicta (Kaiser) Hendrickson in Spalding. She grew up in Spalding and attended Spalding Academy, graduating with the class of 1965. After high school, Kala worked in the medical records department at the Spalding Hospital. Her years in Spalding gave her a strong connection to the community she called home throughout her life. Kala was a member of the St. Anne’s Altar Society, where she served as chair of the Book Committee that published one of the St. Michael’s Catholic cookbooks. She took pride in being involved in the life of her church and community.

On August 31, 1968, Kala was united in marriage to Dennis McKay. Together, they made their home northeast of Spalding, where they built a life filled with family, hard work, and many cherished memories. Kala co-owned McKay Flying, played a key role in McKay Auction Services, and helped run the family farm. She was devoted to her family and found great joy in the simple things that made a house a home.

Kala was a gifted seamstress with a talent for creating beautiful things with her hands. She enjoyed making clothes and quilts, as well as crocheting and knitting, putting time, care, and love into each piece. She also loved gardening, taking pride in nurturing her plants and preserving the harvest through canning. Kala was a wonderful cook and took great pleasure in finding new recipes and preparing meals for her family and others. She enjoyed finding the perfect kitchen tool or gadget and was always excited by something new that could make cooking a little easier or more enjoyable.

More than anything, Kala will be remembered for her generous heart and the kindness she showed to those around her. She had a gentle, caring nature and always made those around her feel welcome and cared for. Kala was a devoted wife and loving, kind mother who put her family first. She found joy in caring for those she loved and creating a warm, welcoming home. Her thoughtfulness, generosity, and love will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Those left to cherish Kala’s memory include her husband, Denny; Stephanie Maines (John); Marty McKay; her brother, James Hendrickson, and sister-in-law, Nancy; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Kala was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Benedicta Hendrickson; her brother, Bernard; and her sister-in-law, JoAnn; brothers-in-law Cleatus (Lorraine) McKay and Carol (Irene) McKay; and sister-in-law Joan (Martin) McKay Vodehnal.