Obituaries

Kathleen M. Brendel

Died May 1, 2014

 NORTHPORT – Kathleen Marie (Walker) Brendel, 76, passed to the fullness of life Thursday, May 1, 2014 at Munson Medical Center.  Kathleen (Kathie) was born on August 2, 1937 in Los Angeles, California to Allen and Richardine (Collins) Walker.  Her father was in the Army, so Kathie’s childhood involved much travel.  She greatly enjoyed that time of her life and was fond of telling stories of her travels, living abroad, and time spent in California.  Kathie was especially close to her Aunt Mimi, who held a very special place in Kathie’s heart all her life.  After graduating from Kaiserslautern High School in Germany, Kathie’s family returned to their home in Sierra Vista, Arizona.  She attended St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Tucson before marrying William J. Brendel, her husband of 56 years.   Bill was also in the military, so his job took them to Germany to live for a time when their oldest sons, Tim and Tony, were young.  Their youngest, Chris, was born while overseas.  Upon their return to the States, the family settled in Northport, where Kathie happily lived for the rest of her life.  Kathie loved Northport; she served on the board of education for several years and was involved in the Northport Follies with friends during her thirties.  Active in the community and in the know, Kathie could always be counted on for an update on the weather or the latest happenings in town.  Known and loved by many, Kathie was always welcoming when someone stopped by to visit, quick to offer a drink or her famous Bloody Mary.  When her boys were young, her home was the site of many team dinners.   Kathie’s children and grandchildren were a source of enjoyment and pride to her.      Kathie is survived by her husband, Bill; their three sons:  Tim (Bonnie), Tony (Jane), and Chris (Mollie); her brother, Allen (Angie) Walker; 6 grandchildren:  Kristyn, Joe (Marisela), Zac, Ellie, Luke, and Isaac; 2 great-grandsons: Terrance and Jeremiah; 2 nieces:  Mary (Tim) Shannon, and Nancy (Liz) Botz; 4 nephews:  Tom and Dr. Pat (Jodi) Botz and Daniel and Douglas Walker;  2 great-nieces: Sarah (David) Blight and Liz Shannon; 3 great-nephews:  Jason (Seema), Nicholas, and Matthew Botz; and 2 great-great-nephews: Charlie Blight and Hrishi Botz.  She was preceded in death by her parents; sister-in-law, Mattie Lou Botz; brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Botz; and parents-in-law, Evelyn and Anthony Brendel. Shocked by her sudden passing, many in Northport have commented, “I hugged her in Tom’s just two days ago.” Such was Kathie’s life.  She visited the store two to three times a day, walking up for the paper or when the bread truck arrived, always stopping throughout to have a conversation with the many she knew and who would call her friend.  She will be missed.  “Rest in peace, Grandma.”  Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 6 from 4 to 8 p.m. with a rosary at 7:30 p.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.  The funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 7 at 11 a.m. at St. Gertrude’s Catholic Church in Northport.  Father Bill Lipscomb will serve as celebrant.  Burial in Leelanau Township Cemetery in Northport will follow.  Memorials may be directed to the Leelanau Township Public Library, P.O. Box 235, Northport, MI 49670 and/or to a Charity of One’s Choice.  Please share memories with the family at her online obituary at www.martinson.info.  Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.