Catherine Mary Rayner

Catherine Mary Rayner, of Kempster, passed October 11th, 2022. She was 88 years old.

Mary, as she was known by family and friends, passed away peacefully at her home on the lake surrounded by family and her beloved husband of 68 years, Peter.

Mary was born May 28th, 1934. The youngest of four children born to Arnold and Ida Firth (née Gledhill) in Lepton, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England. She attended schools in Lepton and Kirkburton. After school, she went to work as a textile mill mender at Martin Sons & Company; it is here where she met the love of her life. Mary and Peter were married June 4th, 1955, in Yorkshire, England.

Mary and Peter's life led them to homes in Huddersfield, England and Swansea, Wales. In 1963, they moved to the United States with their two young boys. They lived in Palatine, IL where they added two daughters to their family before settling in Kempster, WI.

Mary was a loving wife and homemaker. She spent time traveling with family and friends, bowling, gardening, and showing dogs. She loved swimming in her lake, mowing her lawn, square dancing with Peter and playing cards with friends. She had a fun sense of humor and a smile for everyone who crossed her path.

Mary is survived by her husband Peter, children David (Cheryl) Rayner, Stephen (Chris) Rayner, Andrea (Thane) Rasmussen, and Beverly (Andy) Grabow, 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews in England and Canada.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her in-laws Ernest and Florence Rayner, brother Colin, and sisters Audrey and Betty.

Visitation will be at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home on Monday, October 17th from 12pm-2pm with service to follow.

The family would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to the Hands with Heart care team, Aspirus Comfort Care & Hospice and Strasser-Roller Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Langlade County Humane Society.