Catherine "Kate" Kinder

In all she did, Catherine "Kate" Kinder's strong faith was her guide through life's hardships and struggles, disappointments and sorrow. Through it all, she remained a constant, loving light in the hearts of those who loved her. A hard working woman, she enjoyed the simple pleasures in life all while loving and caring for her family beyond compare. Her strength and devotion was a shining example of a woman who will be deeply missed.

The roaring 20s introduced many changes to the American way of life. Women won the right to vote, and prohibition paved the way for bootleggers and gangland mobs alike. A time marked by many firsts, radios were tuned to the first broadcast baseball game while the introduction of insulin for diabetics and the whooping cough vaccine were medical breakthroughs. The eight hour workday was established just in time for a prospering economy as manufacturing was at an all time high. Nestled along the southern shore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Paul and Mary Adams of Munising were experiencing a few changes of their own when on March 7, 1923 they welcomed the birth of their baby girl, Catherine into their hearts.

The youngest of six children, Kate's parents were Polish immigrants who came to Michigan through Canada and eventually settled in Munising along with several other Polish families. Her father worked in the local paper mills which was the lifeblood for earning a living in the area. With strong Polish roots, Kate was raised in a home devoted to the Catholic faith. She attended the local schools through the eighth grade and like so many others during the era of the Great Depression, she left her education behind to help her mother care for their home and family.

Catherine, or Kate as she was affectionately called, grew into a lovely young girl and around the time she was 16 met a young neighborhood boy named Patrick Kelly who swept her off her feet. Smitten from the start, a romance developed and shortly after her 17th birthday, Kate became Patrick's wife. Although not quite old enough to marry on their own, their parent's granted permission and agreed to their required signatures. Patrick soon left his new bride to serve during World War II before returning home to Munising where he and Kate began their family of eventually seven children.

The year 1947 found Kate and Patrick setting out for the riverfront city of Grand Rapids, Michigan for new work opportunities. Before long they made their family home on Holland Avenue NE and became faithful members of St. Isidore Catholic Church. After five years in the Grand Rapids area, Kate unfortunately found herself raising their seven children alone when she and Patrick divorced in 1955. It was during this time when Kate's tenacity and strength shone bright. She put forth her deep faith and energetic spirit as a hard working woman and soon landed a promising job at the General Motors Trim Plant on Alpine Avenue NW. There she supported her family as a sewing machine operator and was indeed a very busy lady. With the security and stability of her family as her driving force, Kate worked all day in the factory all while tending to the needs of her busy and growing family.

In time Kate would come to know love again when one of her neighbors introduced Kate to her brother who often visited. Gene Kinder and Kate enjoyed their time together and soon began making plans for the future. They eventually married and moved to the southwest side of the city to the Wyoming area where Kate joined St. John Vianney Catholic Church. After several years she retired from General Motors and together she and Gene enjoyed and looked forward to spending many happy times together. Sadly, Gene unexpectedly passed away and Kate once again found herself alone and on her own.

With faith as her guide, Kate forged ahead in life keeping herself busy taking care of her home. She loved to work in the yard and always had several gardens of flowers she enjoyed tending to. She also liked working on word puzzles and did so often, but nothing compared to her complete devotion and dedication caring for the family she loved and held dear. She was the type of woman who always made herself available to help out her children and her grandchildren. When her two daughters became ill Kate lovingly cared for each of them. She first looked after Margaret and later cared for Mary who had breast cancer. Sadly, they both later passed away. Unconditional in her love, Kate's family was truly her life and she always welcomed visits from her beloved grandchildren who saw her often.

When Kate began developing the early signs of Alzheimer’s she began living with her daughter, Cathy. Eventually needing more care, she moved to Bishop Hills in Rockford and later lived at Emerald Meadows where she remained for the last four years of her life. At the age of 88, Kate passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2011.

Catherine "Kate" Kinder will always be remembered as a hard working woman who as a mother cared deeply for her children and grandchildren. Sadly missed, she will forever remain an example of strength and love to all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, daughters, Mary McGee and Margaret Merizon and her son, Patrick Kelly. Surviving are her children: Patricia McNamara, Jack (Faith) Kelly, Cathy (Jack) Ortman, and Colleen (Dan) Vasquez; son-in-law, Mark Merizon; 24 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. A service to commemorate her life will be held Thursday, 11:00 AM at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien–Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with her family at the funeral home Wednesday, 6-8 PM. Memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association are appreciated. To read more of Kate’s life, share a memory or sign her online register book, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.