In 2010, Kay experienced an hallucinatory event which prompted a visit to a neurologist and subsequent diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia. This, of course, was tough news for the Steindorf family, especially as Kay's mom developed Alzheimers in the 70's. In hind sight, Kay's symptoms had been there for a few years, but Kay had been doing a good job of compensating for them. 

As anticipated, Kay's cognitive functions declined through the years. But in early 2014, she developed significant balance issues leading to a bad fall and contusion to the head. Examinations and analyses determined that Kay also had stage 4 lung cancer which had metastasized to the brain. Given her condition, she was admitted to Quality Health Nursing Home on Amelia Island, where the staff, family and friends provided loving care for her through her final days.

Following Roger's retirement from Bethesda Hospital in 1996, Kay and Roger moved to Fernandina Beach, Florida. Kay continued with her fine art ceramic cookie jars, settling on designs of "fat ladies". These were handmade by draping clay around special pink balloons that were able to wishstand the weight of the clay. The bodies were then sculpted and detailed into unique "personalities". Shopper ladies were a favorite. She also continued to golf, participating in the Fernandina Beach Golf Course Women's Club. And she found the time and energy to assemble and publish a cook book of recipies submitted by members of the golf club.

Amelia Island proved a wonderful vacation draw for Kay and Roger's friends and relatives. They hosted many visitors over the years for golf, beach and holiday events. 

By 1980, the chill of the Wisconsin winters was getting old and Markesan's appeal was starting to wane. Eric was off at college in Madison and Marci was in her final year of high school. Kay and Roger longed for warmer weather and decided to sell all and move south. 

They found a home in the Lakes of Sherbrooke development outside of Lake Worth, FL, which proved to be a great location for Kay and Roger.

Roger practiced pharmacy at Bethesda Memorial Hospital and after a few odd jobs, Kay got her real estate license and began selling homes for the Lakes of Sherbrooke/Sherbrooke Estates development company.  Once the majority of the development was sold, Kay landed an opportunity to sell homes for Breakers West, an upscale housing developement owned by the Breakers Hotel company in Palm Beach. She was their first Million Dollar home seller!  

While busy selling homes, Kay and daughter Marci decided to spend some quality time together and enrolled in a pottery class at a local school. It turns out that Kay was quite adept at pottery/ceramics and her artistic talent flourished.

By the early 90's the real estate business was winding down and the art world was picking up. So Kay made the decision to focus on her love of art. They had a kiln installed in the garage, invested in a nice display tent and shelves and started selling Kay's Stoneware Creations at local art shows. She eventually settled on making cooking jars, and the Ginger Snaps business was born! Along the way, they made lots of new friends and her art has been loved by many.

Also during this time Kay and Roger's first grandson, William Tyler Steindorf was born to son Eric and his wife Linda in March, 1992. Tyler was followed by sister Virginia Kathryn in early March, 1994. That following September, Kay's daughter Marci and her husband David joined in and Joseph Carl Martin, arrived. Joe's twin siblings Sarah Kathryn and Craig David followed a short time later in March, 1996.

Kay's groom Roger had also received his commission in the U.S. Army after graduating from college. So, in the summer of 1957 Kay abandoned her studies and the couple moved to Texas to begin Roger's service at Fort Sam Houston. But, thanks to budget cuts, Roger was discharged just 6 months later. The newlyweds moved back to Wisconsin to be closer to family and for Roger to start a career in pharmacy.

The fun really started in 1960 with the birth of their son Eric. In 1962, Kay and Rog bought the drug store in Markesan, a family friendly hamlet in south central Wisconsin. Their family was blessed with the addition of daughter Marci in 1963.

Kay thrived in the small town environment. Not only was she an energetic mom and homemaker, she became very active in a variety of social and community events. She applied her artistic skills and organization talents to a range of endeavors; from family camping, snowmobile outings and golf tournaments; to sales and decorating at the drug store; and to school programs and community events like parades and the local Kiwanis Club's annual show. Kay and Roger also became volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians, helping to provide medical aid to the area.

Kay and Roger also loved to travel. They visited many exotic locations long before they became popular. Their excursions took them to the Bahamas, Greece, Portugal, Tahiti, Morocco, the Middle East, Guatemala, the Yucatan, Jamaica, the Amazon basin, the Andes,... even Canada! 

As the kids got older and demanded less of Kay's time, she tried her hand at retail, opening a clothing store and then a Hallmark gift shop in downtown Markesan. Her business experience would help her tremendously in the future.

Kathryn Rae Custer was born on July 18, 1938 in Madison, Wisconsin to Clayton and Avis Custer. Clayton was a motorcycle cop and Avis worked as an operator for the phone company. Kay was blessed with brother Craig a few years later.

Kay was a well liked, confident student with a flair for art. Just after graduationg from Madison East High School in 1956, she met Roger Steindorf who was interning as a pharmacist at the local drug store and malt shop. Their romance evolved into a long distance relationship as Kay left Wisconsin that fall to study art at the Richmond Professional Institute’s School of Art. Love prevailed and the happy couple married on March 30, 1957 in Madison. The newlyweds moved to Richmond while Kay completed her first year of studies.