Kay Francis (Ken) Sullivan
Kay Francis (Ken) Sullivan
Cedar Rapids
Kay Francis (Ken) Sullivan, of Cedar Rapids, died peacefully July 31, with his wife Aggie and family by his side. Ken had a storied career with the Cedar Rapids Gazette for 37 years, retiring in 2000 as Senior Political Editor.
Ken was born in Charles City, Iowa, August 13, 1940. In 1958, he graduated from Charles City High School. He met Agnes Koenigsfeld in 1957 and they were married April 4, 1959. Their marriage produced four children, 13 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Ken’s career began at KCHA radio in Charles City, progressing to a role at the Oelwein Daily Register, before securing a job at the Gazette in 1963, at 23 years old. Over the next 37 years, Ken’s covered the Iowa legislature, national presidential campaigns, and rose to the position of Senior Political Editor and weekly columnist.
Ken is survived by his wife Aggie. Children: Kim Stovie, Cedar Rapids; Julie (Dan) Bertsos, Bever Creek, Ohio; Doug (Karen) Sullivan, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; and Kristin (David) Janssen, Cedar Rapids. Grandchildren: Nicole (Kolin) Brighton, Cedar Rapids; Tara (Jorge) Stovie; Jake (Kylie) Stovie, Chicago; Zach (Sarah) Stovie, Cedar Rapids; Max (Brette) Bertsos, Des Moines; Sam (Caitlin) Bertsos, Liberty Township, Ohio; Maggie Bertsos, Colorado Springs; Joey (Bridget) Sullivan, Cooper City, Florida; Tom (Kayla) Sullivan, Thornton, Colorado; Katie Sullivan, Denver; Michael (Emily) Janssen, North Liberty; Nic Janssen, Cedar Rapids; Ben (Emma) Janssen, Ann Arbor. Great-grandchildren: George, Miles, and Nora Kay Brighton; Eliana and Ian Gomez Stovie; Henry, Calvin, and Emma Stovie; John and Nora Bertsos; Sam and Reilly Sullivan; and Teddy Sullivan.
Preceded in death by his parents Frank and Kathryn Sullivan; sisters Vivian Stout, Phyllis Scoles, Virginia Johnson; and brother Miles (Bud) Sullivan.
Visitation will be held August 14 at Teahen Funeral Home, 3100 F Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorial service will be held August 15 at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, 50 Edgewood Rd NW, Cedar Rapids, at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in Ken’s name to St. Jude’s Catholic Church (50 Edgewood Rd. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405) or to Brucemore (2160 Linden Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403).
Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.