Kay’s family immigrated to Canada Oct. 20, 1926. In Winnipeg, Kay became a devoted church attender: at church, she sensed unity, peace, and love. She joined the church choir at 13 and enjoyed singing in choirs and duets throughout her life. Kay felt privileged to earn a stenography diploma at Dominion Business College. Kay and John began married life on his family’s farm in Manitou, Man., where she learned to drive a car, milk cows, and churn butter. She also worked part-time in a farm equipment dealership office. In fall 1949, Kay and John visited his parents in Yarrow, B.C., and the beauty of the colours led them to move nearby. They settled in Chilliwack, B.C., with 2 acres of raspberries, which Kay managed. She said these years as a stay-at-home mother were the best years of her life. Wherever they attended church, Kay displayed a servant heart. She marked children’s Sunday School lesson books and wrote encouraging notes in the margins. She faithfully wrote to her family and missionaries. She also quilted MCC blankets, knit bandages for leprosy patients, did handcrafts, volunteered on committees, and together with John, served as kitchen stewards. With John’s massive heart attack in 1986, Kay felt that everything changed, except the love of their heavenly Father. Living next to Clearbrook MB Church, they felt blessed to hear the German language and beloved hymns.
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