Katherine Christine Exner

Kay was born on November 21, 1940 to Karl & Helen Mayer in Grayson, Saskatchewan. Growing up, she took care of her younger siblings on the farm and she fell in love with the ‘boy next door’. On April 12, 1958 Kay and Gus were married at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Gus and Kay welcomed Randy into the world the following year and Dale made his entrance two years later. When Randy & Dale were still young, Mom worked as a car hop for A&W. Dad would treat the boys by taking them for burgers when Mom was working.

In 1969, the family was completed when Shawn came into the picture. Later, she began working at a dry cleaner in Regina. In 1972, Gus and Kay decided to move to Langley, British Columbia near Gus’ brother Bill (& family) and near Kay’s brother Chris (& family).

Kay soon found work in B.C. working once again in the dry cleaning business including Courtesy Cleaners in Abbotsford, which Randy owned at the time. While working at the dry cleaners, she was called upon more and more to do sewing for customers, as well as for family and friends. Gus and the boys never went too long with ripped jeans before Mom would patch them up or sew new pockets on them.

While working at the dry cleaners, Mom’s loyalty to the company was rewarded with a memorable trip to Hawaii. While in Hawaii, they met up with Gus’ brother Bill and wife Min. Even with Dad’s apprehension of flying, the trip was a wonderful experience for them.

Many fun memories were also made camping in Mom’s VW van, fondly named the “Kraut Can.”. When Shawn joined the Boy Scouts, Kay became a scout leader, chaperoning camping trips and other scouting activities. She also enjoyed golfing with her friend Marg, playing softball with her niece Louise and bowling. While living in Abbotsford, Kay also enjoyed participating in the Optimist Club.

Kay lost the love of her life suddenly in December of 1997. Mom and Dad were just 5 months short of celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. After Gus’ passing in 1997, Mom’s brother Pete encouraged her to move back to Saskatchewan to be near her other siblings. Mom took him up on the offer to move to Cupar, Saskatchewan.

Cupar became the perfect fit for her. She made many new friends there and quickly became sought after for her sewing skills and opened up “Kay’s Alterations” out of her apartment. The boys continued to bring her sewing projects when they visited her in Cupar.

Kay became close friends with Steve and Monica Boha and Steve’s dad Frank, whom she helped take care of in his last years.

Through Frank’s generosity, Kay was able to purchase land and a mobile home she could call her home. She was excited when her mobile home finally pulled into Cupar. It soon became a place where family and friends were welcomed and coffee was always ready. Mom loved having her house filled with company from near and far.

She was predeceased by her parents Karl and Helen Mayer; her husband of 39 years, Gustav; brothers and sisters Andrew, Chris, Peter, Lorraine,

Mike, and Rosemarie, who passed away 3 weeks before her. Kay is lovingly remembered by her three sons Randy (Deborah) of Cochran, Alberta, Dale (Cassie) of Redcliff, Alberta, Shawn (Desirée) of Yakima, Washington; granddaughter Brandi of Calgary; and two great-grand-daughters Jenna and Christina.

She is also greatly missed by her brothers and sisters (and their spouses) George, Wenzel, Genevieve, David, Theresa and Sandra; as well as many nephews and nieces, extended family and friends from British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

A memorial service will be held for Kay at a later date.