ISSLER, Kathleen ‘Kay
1934 – 2025
Her Sunrise
On June 24, 1934, Kathleen Myrtle Tatarniuk was born in Hanna, Alberta. At the time, no one could have known the impact this one little girl would have on the world. She lived and grew up on the Schultz family farm and attended school in Hanna. Through the church, she was active in the Young People’s Group and attended many functions with them, traveling around the province. She also worked as a teller at the bank in Hanna. She met Herman Issler through a Luther League function, and on April 12, 1953, they were married in Hanna. After a brief honeymoon to the United States, they moved to Trochu into a rented farmhouse east of town, where Herman worked for the Niemi family. From there, they moved to a small three-room house three miles west of Trochu to work on the Joseph and Katrina Issler farm while they awaited the birth of their first child (Debbie, 1954). After two more girls were born (Bonny, 1955; and Lois, 1957) and another child (Tim, 1960) was on the way, the little house was no longer big enough, so they moved to a larger home just a mile or so away. This house had—if you can imagine—three bedrooms, a kitchen with running water, a front room, a front entry, and a basement. But the most important feature was an indoor bathroom. One more boy arrived (Marc, 1964), completing their family. Kay was a very loyal and active member of the Trochu Lutheran Church. The ladies’ group catered many events, and she was part of the pastoral group that visited those in the hospital. She sang in the choir, helped with Sunday School, the Christmas program, and many other church-sponsored events. Tragedy struck when a family home east of Trochu burned to the ground. With no place to live, Kay and Herman invited them to move in until they could find a new home. It was an incredibly difficult time, with two families living in one small house, but they were happy to help—because that’s what you do for family. Several years later (circa 1967), they built a new house on the homestead. They lived in this home for many years and raised their family. Work on the farm was hard for Kay—she milked cows, planted a huge garden, canned fruit, drove the grain truck, and prepared meals at harvest time to deliver to the threshing crew—complete with hot meals, served on blankets, with real plates and cutlery packed in cardboard boxes. All the while, she kept her five children healthy and happy. The post office in Trochu became her long-term career, lasting nearly 35 years. She loved the work, but more importantly, she enjoyed meeting and connecting with people. She retired in 2005. She also worked at the Lane Theatre in Trochu, which was owned by Art and Debbie Mehle.
For many years, Vern and Agnes Cunningham traveled with them to B.C. to pick up a load of apples. As her children grew, married, and brought grandchildren into the world, she became affectionately known as “Gram,” “Grammy,” “Aunty Kay,” and “Great-Gram.” She had a passion for collecting Christmas Village houses, porcelain dolls, and Royal Doulton figurines. She also created many cross-stitch pieces. Throughout her life, she ensured that family came first. Yearly family reunions were a large part of that—from the Schultz Family Reunion in Endiang, to “Kay’s Birthday” camping get-togethers at Pine Lake, to the Tatarniuk Family Reunions at Mulhurst Bay and the Mehle acreage. There were always games, dress-up themes, potluck meals, much love, and lots of laughter—memories that will stay in our hearts forever. Many weddings, anniversary celebrations, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas dinners became famous. They were just another reason to cook a huge meal and invite as many people as possible. There was always room for one more at the table. She survived a near-fatal head-on car accident around 1970 and a serious accident in her Red Deer home in 2018. In both circumstances—and throughout her life—she demonstrated strength and resilience that many admired. When Herman retired from farming in 2001, they purchased a house in Trochu, where they lived until his passing in 2005. In 2007, Kay moved into a home in the Horizon Village community in Red Deer. She met many new friends and enjoyed weekly potluck dinners, Saturday morning coffee at the hall, Christmas dinners, and lunch gatherings at the Legion. She joined the Golden Circle Choir and sang with them for several years. In October 2024, she moved into the Aspen Ridge Retirement Home, where she lived until her passing on June 26—just two days after her 91st birthday. Everyone who met Kay—whether family, friends, friends of her children, or neighbors—was warmly welcomed into her home and treated like family. This is who she was, and she will always be remembered for her kind, gentle, and giving nature. She treated others the way she wished to be treated. “You get what you give,” she would say—and she was loved and admired by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She was predeceased by her sister Dorothy (circa 1936); mother Mable (December 1968); father Peter Tatarniuk (June 1974); husband Herman Issler (January 2005); brother Dick Tatarniuk (August 2016); sister Fay Aubut (September 2018); and sisters-in-law Marj Tatarniuk (2001), Elsie Tetz (2005), and Ann Bartz (2010). She will be sadly missed by her five children and their spouses: Debbie Mehle; Bonny and Brian Riep; Lois and Eldon Lemon; Tim and Keitha Issler; and Marc and Joanne Issler. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild; one sister, Linda (Les) Budy; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends she met along her journey. Her Sunset On June 26, 2025, Kay Issler left this world peacefully and entered the loving arms of her Lord and Savior. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, resilience, and compassion. Everyone who met her knew the impact this one little girl had made on the world. “And the Lord said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’” (Revelation 21:5)
Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

ONLY LOCALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER

“Caring Community Compassion Since 1999”

6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

• Date : 2025-07-17
• Location : (Red Deer) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com