SPRINGFIELD, IL – KayAnna G. Tennant, 79, passed away Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at Springfield Memorial Hospital.

She was born April 19, 1942, to Glenn and Darlene (Mulliner) Gaerte. She married Ronald Tennant on February 21, 2009. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ronald; and her children's father, Gene Hayes.

Kay was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was very active in Girl Scouts when she was young and served as a Candy Striper while in high school. She had worked as a dispatcher for Ohio State Highway Patrol, had her own cake decorating business and trophy business, and worked in nursing homes as a CNA.  She retired from Memorial Medical Center in 2007 after 19 years of service. She enjoyed flower arranging, photography, scrapbooking, decorating wedding cakes and cookies, home decorating, catering church events, garage sales and genealogy, and she loved dogs.

She is survived by her children, Scott (Debbie) Hayes and Kerry (Allen) Tomlin; stepdaughters, Lucretia, Mary and Danielle Tennant; grandchildren, Travis Hayes, Jared (Reilly) Hayes, Amber Cogdal, Cecily Allen and Amber Tomlin; great-grandchildren, Jason Moore, Stella Allen and Chloe Allen;  brothers, Dennis (Bonnie) Gaerte and Duane Gaerte; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, November 4, 2021, at Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, November 5, 2021, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Burial will follow in Camp Butler National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Animal Protective League or Sangamon County Rescue Squad Non for Profit