Catherine “Katie” M. Van Donsel, age 92, lifelong resident of Gladstone, passed away Monday evening, April 6, 2020, at Lake View Assisted Living Facility in Gladstone.
Katie was born November 30, 1927, in Gladstone, the daughter of Harry and Margaret (Creten) Van Donsel. She was raised in Gladstone where she attended All Saints School and Gladstone High School, graduating in 1945. Shortly after graduation, Katie was offered a position as a financial secretary for the Gladstone School System. She retired in July of 1986 following 41 years of employment.
Katie was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, Gladstone Women’s Study Club, Gladstone Friends of the Library and the Gladstone Senior Center. Katie loved to play golf and was a longtime member of both the Gladstone Golf Club and the Bluff Golf Club. She was the Gladstone Ladies Champion for 4 consecutive years and had an astonishing 4 holes-in-one throughout her golfing years. Katie moved to Lake Bluff Retirement Village in April of 2004 and enjoyed many more years of golfing there. She was proud to have won championships at both clubs.
Survivors include:
Sister: Marcella Sly
Katie is further survived by her nephew William (Melissa) Sly and nieces Barbara (John) Hubbard and Kathy (Barry) Nosanchuk and many other loving great nieces and nephews and cousins, especially her loving cousin Charlie (Patty) Creten.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Margaret, her close friend, Cappy Keil, and her late brother-in-law Richard Sly.
Visiting hours for Katie will be conducted privately at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Mass of Christian Burial and Committal prayers will be conducted at a later date and will be announced by the Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County.
Mary - Gladstone , Mi
Love you aunt Katie say hi to everyone.
Nancy Nelson - Rapid River, Mi
I grew up living next door to the Vandonsel family. They were all wonderful people. I have many good memories of them. They were also very kind to my mom after my dad passed away. Rest in peace Katie…
Gerry Niedermaier - Gladstone, MI
Katie always had a great smile on her face whenever she would see you. She was so kind to us kids in school and I am sure had some great stories to tell.
I’m sure she’s playing a round even now.
It was great knowing you Katie.
Rest in peace.
Bette DeRoeck - Gladstone, MI
Katie was a classmate in high school and a friend all of the years since. We saw each other regularly at Study Club meetings and
whenever classmates met for lunch or reunions. Irv and I send our deepest sympathy to Marcella and family. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Robert Vanest Kelly - Negaunee, MI
I remember Katie and Cappie well.. they were always at the ‘golf course’ as we came up ‘Hole #5’……Ms Katie was always a welcome site in the ‘Principle’s’ Office until you got called into ‘Mr. Norton’s’ office…you could always tell when things were not good by the ‘Look’ on Ms Katie’s face….Oh, o…….I’m in deep trouble now…….
You also new that you were ‘Never’ to make any trouble for Katie as ‘Mr. Keil wasn’t far away….Could never understand why they never got ‘married’….guess it was just not their thing….
It was Great to know both of them…’Cappy’ was our Golf Team Coach – his last year at the helm….I believe it was 1963….
Jack V Deneau - Marquette , Mi
“Katie” Van Donsel was and is the Pillar for Students! She had a great gift to make Mr Cameron Superintendent, Mr Norton Principal and Coach Cappy calm down before JUDGEMENT came! A couple of times she had Ms William hide me Words cannot describe how we the students and faculty benefited from having her! Our loss is Heavens Gain