Harland S. Jay

Harland S. Jay, 86 of Fort Atkinson, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at the Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek.

Harland was born on December 18, 1939, in Mauston, WI, the son of John and Vivah (Clark) Jay.  He grew up in the Mauston/Baraboo area and attended school there.  He served his country in the National Guard and the US Army from 1958 – 1962.  On December 15, 1962, he married Anna Johnson in Winonna, MN, and the couple had 2 sons.  Harland was employed at multiple area businesses, retiring as a Boiler Operator at Friskies and he worked overtime in the Maintenance Department.  Harland was a tinkerer.  He loved to maintain, fix, and mess with mechanical things.  He was known to make all sorts of wagons and carts out of discarded items, to the amusement of his family.  He had a deep appreciation for animals and especially birds.  Harland was extremely helpful, friendly, and looking to serve those in need.  He was a good man who will be dearly missed.

He is survived by: his wife Anna Jay of Fort Atkinson; sons Gordon Jay of Jefferson and Mike (Kim) Jay of Whitewater; grandchildren Trevor (Amber), Kyle, Ty, Maggie, Will, and Charlie; great-grandchildren Zoe and Jack; and his sister Linda Churchhill of Lyndon Station.

Harland is preceded in death by his parents; and 8 siblings Doris Emery, Vivian Rittenhaus, Veronica Haley, Florence Jay, Betty Granger, John Jay, Jr., Wallace Jay, and Kenny Jay.

A Christian Funeral Service will be held at 1:00PM on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the Olsen-Gibson Funeral Home with Rev. Christopher Raiford presiding.  Visitation will be on Tuesday from 11:00AM until the time of service at the funeral home.  He will be buried at Rock River Cemetery following the funeral.

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