Kathleen (Kathy) Richer, age 70 was called to the house of the Lord on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at the Pinecrest nursing home. She was surrounded by the love and warmth of her family in her final days.
Kathy was born on February 23, 1940 in Escanaba. She attended Escanaba High School and was married to Lawrence (Sonny) Richer, Jr. on September 5, 1959. They celebrated 51 years of marriage this year.
Kathy was passionate about children. She loved working as a cook and teacher assistant at Flat Rock Elementary School until she retired for health reasons in 1988.
She enjoyed visiting with former students when they returned to Flat Rock. Her grandchildren brought her great joy. She will be remembered by them for her sense of humor and the love she shared with them. She enjoyed playing cards, and was a member of the UP Lawn Tractor Pullers, and the Gladstone Schools Birthday Club.
A woman of great faith, Kathy placed her trust in God. She was an active member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Flat Rock. Kathy had a heart of gold, and gave all of herself to her family. Her faith and courage are an inspiration to all of us.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret (LaCasse) and Theodore Dugener, father in law Lawrence Richer Sr and mother in law Winifred Gauthier, sisters Julie McMahon and Darlene Shepard, and brother Theodore Dugener, Jr.
She is survived by her husband Sonny, sons Dan (Becky) Richer of Green Bay, Tom (Katie) Richer of Green Bay, and Bill Richer of Green Bay, and daughters Amy (Al) Nystrom of Marshfield and Lisa (Joel) Barta of Green Bay. She will be lovingly remembered by grandchildren Lucas Richer, Ben Richer, Thomas Richer Jr, Nicole Richer, Lauren Barta, James Barta, Danielle Nystrom, and Bradley Nystrom. She is further survived by sister Celine (Bob) Smith of Prudenville, MI, sister Karen (Art) Richer of Schaefer, MI, sister Joan Rochon of Yukon, OK and brothers James Dugener of Lansing, Thomas Dugener of Muskegon, and sister in law Joanne (Gregg) Johnson of Bark River.
A scholarship at Gladstone Schools is being established in her name.
The Richer family will receive friends on Monday, October 11th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Flat Rock. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 PM at church with Rev. Fr. Jose Maramattam officiating. A luncheon will be served immediately following services in the Father Matt Hall. Kathy will be laid to rest in the Escanaba Township (Flat Rock) Cemetery.
Anonymous
Dear Sonny and family,I was so sad to read about Kathy. Please know that Kathy was a special lady. My sympathy to each of you. Sonny I will always remember Kathy how proud she was of you when you took 1st. place in the tractor pulls. She sure will be missed.
God Bless You All.
Love’
Jeannie Spaulding
Rapid River. MI
Our deepest sympathy to the Family. Kathy was a great womwn and will be greatly missed. I will really miss our little chats when Kathy would call me for the Prayer Chain. I volunteered at Flat Rock School many years ago and Kathy was such a wonder back then and never changed. Always a smile and ever so friendly. The hi-light of any ones day who happen to run into Her. A sweet, loving, humorous, gentle Lady. God Bless You in Heaven Kathy, We will miss you. The William Starnes Family
Mary & Bill Starnes & Billy
Gladstone, MI
Kathy was a special person loved by all and many. She was alot of fun to joke with as well. My family’s prayers are with Sonny and Family at this time.
Scott, Connie, Jordan Lindstrom
Carney, MI
We are ALL so sorry to hear about the loss of Kathy Richer to her family and her wonderful husband Sonny. She was so loved by everyone who knew her and was always at the tractor pulls to support her husband and friends. Denise, Mike, Levi and I only met Kathy thru the Tractor Pull Group, although Porky knew her a long time before; she was very welcoming to us and always treated us so kindly even though we were new. We will all miss her very much the next time the tractor pulls start.
Nancy & Porky Hansen, Mike, Denise and Levi Grannis
Gladstone & Alston, MI
I have many good memories of spending time at Mrs. Richer’s home when I was in high school. She always made Tom’s friends (myself included) feel welcome.
I will miss our annual visit during the 4th of July. She will be missed.
Don DeFiore
Round Lake Beach, IL
Kathy will always have a special place in our hearts,she will be remembered as a very special play ground attendant to my children(Nick & Jaylene Jensen),she always asked about them every time I met her somewhere.She did love children!
Marie Chenier
Escanaba, MI
What a beautiful obituary for Kathy. She was a first class lady and will be remembered for all her kindness and love. You will miss her but know she is all healed with her Saviour.
Jo-Ann Martin
Wittenberg, WI
Lisa, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. I will always remember her spunk and spirit during our years of growing up. She was a wonderful lady.
Marlaena Perron -Auriemma
Weymouth, MA
Kathy truly was a special person & we know she will be greatly missed. Never did she have an unkind word for anyone & she always had a smile on her face. Ed & I will keep her in our thoughts & prayers & Sonny. Anyone who knew Kathy is all the more blessed in knowing her. God Bless you Kathy..
Ed & Audette Olson
Gladstone, MI
So sorry to hear of lost loved one. As former neighbors of Sonny from Schaffer & Tesch (Harold Taylor & Helen Jean Frossard our thought & prayers will be with you.
Mr. & Mrs Harold Taylor
Green Bay, WI
Sonny and Kids,
My deepest sympathy goes out to your family and Kathy is at peace . Keep all your wonderful memories in your hearts. We do have alot of memories and will miss her at birthday club. Your dad alway would bring her there.She was so proud of her grandchildren always a picture or a story about someone. Will also miss her phone calls. She is at peace.
Jean Lancour
Gladstone, MI
Sonny and family,
So sorry for your loss, Kathy was such a lovely lady, and will be missed.
Sam(Bud) Evelyn Poquette
Escanaba, MI
I am so sorry to hear about Kathy. She will always be missed and remembered. I always remember her hard work and infectious personality. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time of sorrow.
Kathy Frazer Tyner
Montgomery, IL
I would like to express my sympathy to Sonny and his family, They(Kathy&Sonny). are regular shoppers at Elmer’s Kathy will be missed by all her friends at Elmer’s take care God Bless.
Jean Stanchina
Escanaba, MI
To my dear classmate Amy and her family. I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. My Mom passed away in April…and the sadness is often overwhelming. I will say a special prayer for peace in your hearts.
God Bless.
Ann Marie Roberts VandeWiele
Gladstone, MI
Dan’s co-workers at Timely Medical offer their condolences to Dan and his family. We are sorry for your loss.
Michael Grad
Carlsbad, CA
Dear Sonny and family.
Dick and I send our deepest sympathy to you and your families. We will miss Kathy’s smiling face at church and miss seeing her ride by with you. I always enjoyed visiting with you both on my walks and whenever we ran into you. May God be with you all and bring peace to your hearts. Know that Kathy is preparing a place for you in her new home and will be waiting for you all to be together again some day.
Love,
Doris and Dick Newhouse
Gladstone, MI
We are very sorry for the loss of your mom. She was a wonderful and neat lady. You are very fortunate to have called her your Mom. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
Ken and Liz Becker
Naples, FL