Adelma Kay Smith Sanders

Mrs. Adelma Kay Sanders, age 81, of Frankfort Kentucky, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, May 6, 2025, at her residence. She was born August 9,1943, in Muscatine Iowa.

Kay is preceded in death by her parents, Curtis and Leola Adell Smith and her aunts, Donna Griffith, Jean Burns (Don) and Gertrude Lippelgoes.

Kay is survived and missed by her husband Timothy W. Sanders of 60 years and their schnauzer Sweet Pea, her children, Shane A Sanders and Eric J Sanders (Gina) and her brother David Smith.

Kay graduated from Muscatine High School in 1961. She began attending nursing school in Davenport, Iowa and graduated in 1964 as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). While in Iowa, she worked 23 years at the University of Iowa in the cardiac cath lab as a lab technician. When she moved to Frankfort Kentucky in 1987, she worked as a beloved allergy shot nurse at Dr. Blair’s Pediatric Clinic for 30 years until her retirement in 2017.

Kay was very active and enjoyed life to the fullest. As a young adult she loved her horses Flicka and Cindy. She and Cindy competed in Western Pleasure and won many trophies and ribbons. She was a member of the Muscatine County Saddle Club and was elected queen. She was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star in Iowa. She was also an avid bowler in a women’s bowling league. Her bowling team travelled the country and competed at nationals from 1975 to 1987.

She shared her love of fishing with her son Eric. She taught him to fish at an early age and was a proud mom in 2018 when she accompanied him to a BFL All American tournament in Shreveport, Louisiana.

She also had a love for gardening that she shared with her son Shane. They both would produce abundant crops of tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries. After the harvest they would spend hours in the kitchen canning for all of their family members to enjoy.

Kay was a very talented self-taught crafter. She could paint a face on a snowman, stitch a towel angel or operate a wood saw and create worly-gigs for your outdoor pleasure. She and her daughter-in-law Gina had a craft booth in Frankfort and surrounding counties for many years. She also decorated her pediatric office with her creations.

Kay will be missed by many, but the memories we have will carry us through until we see her again in heaven.

Visitation is from 12:00pm to 2:00pm on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Clark Legacy Center, Versailles Rd. A graveside service will follow at 2:00pm on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Sunset Memorial Gardens.