It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kathleen Gertrude Rainka. She passed away at St. Boniface Hospital on June 30, 2022 after a very short battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 80.
Kay was born in Miniota, MB on August 11, 1941. She lived on the farm in Lenore, MB and attended Ravine School and Lenore School. Kay worked in Martin’s Pharmacy in Virden until she went away to nursing school. She did her nurses training in Neepawa, MB where she met Raymond and they were married in 1963.
Kay was a stay-at-home mom for many years. She went back to school to upgrade her nursing degree once her kids were old enough to come home after school on their own. She worked for many years at St. Boniface Hospital in the Geriatric Ward and then in home care.
Camping each summer was a big part of Kay’s family’s life. As she worked every second weekend, many weekends were spent at Birds Hill Provincial Park and then off to a different campground on her weekends off. They camped in any kind of weather, even woke up to snow some weekends. Some of her favourite camping memories were those spent with family when they camped at Spruce Woods Provincial Park each summer. This guaranteed a great family get-together once a year. She loved sitting and visiting with her nieces and nephews. “Auntie Kay” was usually one of the last to leave the campfire each night.
Once camping days were done and Kay retired, she spent many years going back and forth between home and the cottage at Lee River, MB. She loved nothing more than to have her family come to the lake to spend the weekend. Many hours were spent around the campfire, down by the dock on a good hot summer day and just enjoying all her family and friends. If she knew a lot of family was coming for the weekend, the baking was on the stove when they arrived. Her cinnamon buns and carrot cake will be greatly missed. She was also an avid gardener and her flowers were the envy of the park.
Left to mourn Kay’s passing are her husband, Raymond, of 58 years; her children, Michele (Jeff) Goossen, Shawna (Mike) Klapecki and Darryl Rainka (Sheri); and her grandchildren, Kayla Goossen, Heather Goossen, Wesley (Kaelyn) Klapecki, Jennee Klapecki, Casey (Charles) Murray and Dineen Rainka.
Also left to mourn are her siblings: Evelyn Odell, Gwen Charney, George (Janice) Watters and Audrey Watters; her in-laws: Katherine Pennell, Stanley (Norma) Rainkie, Jim (Connie) Rainkie, Jack (Diane) Rainka, Loretta (Dan) Free, Marilyn Rainkie, Josephine Rainka and Carol Rainka; and too many nieces and nephews to mention.
Kay was predeceased by her daughter, Jodi Rainka; her parents, Richard Watters and Pearl Watters; her brother, Keith Watters; her parents-in-law, Peter and Nancy Rainka; brothers-in-law, Bill Charney, Don Odell, Chester Rainka, Eddie Rainkie, Dennis Rainka, Edwin Tonn and Colin Pennell, and her great-nephew, Blaine Jarvis.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Gerard Roman Catholic Church, 45 Foster Avenue, Winnipeg, MB with interment to be at Green Acres Funeral Home and Cemetery, Hwy #1 East at Navin Road.
Our hearts are broken and we will miss you so very much; may you now rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenacresfuneralhome.com for the Rainka family.
