Kathleen Leona Raczak

Kathleen Leona (Kirkpatrick) Raczak 54, of Avoca, died unexpectedly Monday, September 8, 2014 in her home. Kathleen was born in Yale, Michigan on June 13, 1960 to Clifford E. Kirkpatrick and Saleta M. Krafft. Kathleen spent much of her childhood on a small farm in Yale, but later moved to Port Huron, Michigan, where she graduated from Port Huron High School in 1978. She married Anthony “Tony” Raczak on July 20, 1996 at their home in Avoca, Michigan. After living in Cheboygan, Michigan for many years, they moved their family back to a small farm in Avoca. Kathleen worked for many years at the SpeedyQ on Lapeer Avenue in Port Huron, where she touched so many people with her warm, friendly smile and quick sense of humor. Later, she would take these same qualities with her to most recent jobs at the Dollar Tree and the Wellness Home Care. Kathleen loved reading, listening to music, phoning her family, finding “hidden treasures” at garage sales, her pets, friends around a bon fire, being the “neighborhood mom,” and most of all being with her family; especially her grandkids, to whom she was affectionately known as “Grandma Cakes.” Throughout her life, she was always able to find the beauty in everyone and everything around her…the light that shone from her love warms all that knew her still. She is survived by her husband Anthony Raczak, a son, Dillon of Kenockee Township, a daughter Lindsey (Lupe) Vicencio of Port Huron, a step-daughter, Liz Ziolkowski, 2 grand-daughters, 2 grand-sons, a former husband, James Wolvin, her Mother, Saleta Sontag of Burtchville, her Father, Clifford (Verena) Kirkpatrick of Sarnia, Ontario, two brothers, Brian (Kathy) Kirkpatrick of Ladys Island, SC, and Jason Sontag of Port Huron, a step-sister, Karen Millard of Toronto, Canada, a step-brother, Brian Millard of Edmonton, Alberta, 2 nieces, 2 nephews, 1 great-niece, and 2 great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother Kevin Kirkpatrick, her paternal grandparents Elton and Dorothy Kirkpatrick, her maternal grandparents Kenneth and Eleanor Krafft, 3 Uncles, Kenneth Krafft Jr., David Krafft, and Daniel Krafft. Visitation 2-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Kaatz Funeral Directors, Yale. Funeral service 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with visitation one hour prior to service. Her final resting place will be the Downing Cemetery, Deckerville, Michigan. Memorials are suggested to “Wishes of the Family”. For information and Guest Book kaatzfunerals.com

Kathleen Leona Raczak

June 13, 1960 - September 8, 2014