Obituary of Kathleen "Kay" Reist

Kathleen "Kay" Charlotte Reist of Camrose, formerly of Daysland, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2013 at the age of 83 years. Kathleen Charlotte Reist (nee Cole) was born January 15, 1930 in Dodsland, Saskachewan, and was raised near Coleville Saskatchewan during the Great Depression. At 16, Kay followed her sister's Betty and Bernice to Edmonton to finish High School and to help care for her Grandma Conquest (The Red Cross Lady). She soon met Harvey Reist, a pre-med student from Wetaskawin, and they married in 1951. Gary was born in 1952 and the new family moved to Daysland in 1955. While Harvey practiced medicine, Kay raised her family with great love, encouragement and devotion. They welcomed three more children; Ronald was born in 1956, Bradley in 1960 and Lorene in 1962. A huge believer in education, Kay pushed and availed her children the opportunities to pursue their interests. While focusing her time on her children and their activities, Kathleen was also dedicated to volunteering in her community. She held leadership positions in the United Church Women's Assn., CGIT, the Agricultural Society, the Hospital Auxiliary, the Daysland School Board, and the Aging in Place Society. In the latter foundation, Kathleen was instrumental in the development and naming of "Providence House". Having been a proud and supportive mother, Kay spent her last years being an equally amazing grandmother; spoiling and doting and Layne, Miranda, Jared, Chelsey, Jenna, Addison and Sidney. In 2001 the Reist family met in Emerald Lake to celebrate Kay and Harvey's 50th anniversary. While Kay was already showing signs of illness, the following few years proved to be devastating as dementia settled in. Kay fought as hard as humanly possible but, faced with a particularly fast moving form of Alzheimer's disease she soon required a hospital setting to meet her needs. Kay will be lovingly remembered by her children Gary (Marietta) of Edmonton, Ron (Veronica) of Olds, Bradley (Carolina) of Cranbrook, B.C., and Lorene Reist of Toronto, Ontario; eight grandchildren Layne (Vicky) Cunningham, Miranda (Colin) Gustafson, Jared (Meaghan) Chelsey, Jenna ( Marcus) Weinkauf, Addison and Sidney; eight great-grandchildren; one brother Ron Cole of Coalhurst, Alberta; two sisters Joan (Bill) Adair of Ladysmith, B.C., and Linda (Dave) Miller of Coleville, Saskatchewan; sister-in-law Beatrice Bolen; and brother-in-law Art Stengal. Kay was predeceased by her husband Dr. Harvey Allan Reist; one brother Les Cole; three sisters Betty Aucoin, Mary Cole and Bernice Smith; sister-in-law Donna Stengal; and brother-in-law George Bolen. A Funeral Service was held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 5, 2013 from Daysland Knox United Church (5210 49 Street, Daysland, AB) with Rev. Alan Richards officiating. A Private Family inurnment took place in the Daysland Cemetery. Family and friends were invited to join the family for fellowship and refreshments at the Daysland Community Hall immediately following the service. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Alzheimer Society.