Kathryn Ann Re

Kathryn Ann Re (nee Fuller)

Kathy died quietly at home on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in Bessemer, MI at the age of 74 after a long & difficult battle with depression & alcoholism.

Kathy was the firstborn to parents Betty & Joe on Nov. 22, 1950, in Appleton, WI, followed later by sister Terry & brother Mark. She was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, & cousin. She was known for so many things, but her grace, tenacity, & wit were the essence of who she was & what we will always remember.

Kathy graduated from Xavier High School in Appleton, after which she attended UW-Eau Claire, earning a bachelors degree in biology. She lived in Chicago where she worked as a lab assistant & eventually relocated to the UP where she later met & married her husband Myron in 1984. They traveled to Europe for their honeymoon, which quickly became a deeply-shared passion, as they would go on to enjoy cruises & trips throughout their marriage to Hawaii, Alaska, Finland, Greece, & many visits to Italy.

Kathy relished simple pleasures like a hot cup of coffee with her daily crossword puzzle. She loved many pets over the years, including cats Spike & Ms Kitty, and dogs Yana, Stormy, & Sammy. Known for her weekly trips to the public library, Kathy devoured as many mystery novels as she could get her hands on. She was an amazing artist, designer, gardener, & home chef. She was so proud of her beautifully-curated table settings, handmade flower arrangements, & cozy porch layouts. Another of Kathy's passions was creating fun and interesting meals to nourish her family. Her pesto pizza was & is legendary. She had a great love of fashion & famously owned many a sequined gown.

Kathy was a prolific community member, having started the area's first hospice program after completing bachelors & masters degrees in nursing at St. Scholastica College in 1995. She was inducted into the National Honor Society in the Theta Xi chapter of Sigma Tau International Honor Society at SSC as well.

Kathy cared ardently for her hospice patients, providing palliative care, dignity, & comfort to people and their families navigating end-of-life. She went on to become a travel nurse for many years, taking contracts regionally & in Florida, where she & Myron enjoyed more extended travel. She finished her nursing career as an adjunct instructor in Gogebic Community College's nursing program. Over the years, Kathy acted in many plays at the Historic Ironwood Theatre & Theatre North, played the role of sheriff in the movie "A Simple Plan," performed with the area Chamber Singers, served on the Bessemer school board, & was honored as the Chamber of Commerce's 2015 Volunteer of the Year for her time & efforts at the 49911 Trading Post helping the city grow & be a better place to live. Kathy was also a member of the Legion Auxiliary and the Bessemer Women's Club, and fondly taught the Strong Women class in both Bessemer and Wakefield for several years.

Kathy loved attending Marty's Goldenaires' parades, skiing, playing pool, crafting, & quiet mornings on the porch with the hummingbirds. She was proud beyond measure, seeing her two "Re-lings," Nicole & Marcus, grow into strong, independent adults. We lovingly remember her bewildering (& now inherited) vocabulary, homemade Halloween costumes, family roadtrips (the radio always tuned to Classical), & growing up in an "ingredient household" where everything was homemade.

Kathy is survived by her husband Myron, children Nicole (Tommy) and Marcus, sister Terry (Greg) Steinhorst, brother Mark (Nancy) Fuller, nieces Steph (Dan) Mathews, Allie (Jeff) Bohlmann, Ashley Fuller, and Sarah Fuller, nephew Adam Fuller, and many other extended relatives and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Joe & Betty Fuller, aunts Dot (Monroe) DeWitt & Georgia (Al) Neely, and her nephew & godson Eric (Melissa) Steinhorst.

Alcoholism did not define the whole of Kathy's life, but it ended it. We all suffered greatly for it, but invite everyone to acknowledge the deep duality that is loving someone with addiction and mental illness. In lieu of gifts/flowers, we kindly suggest a donation to Phoenix House (https://www.phoenixhouse.com/about/donate) or NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) in Kathy's honor. If you or someone you know is struggling, crisis services are available 24/7 through Gogebic Community Mental Health at 1-800-348-0032.

We love you so much, ma. Be at peace.

Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday Oct. 18 at Sharon Lutheran Church, 100 E. Sellar St., in Bessemer, MI with family visitation starting at 9 a.m. & public visitation at 10 a.m. The Rev. Brittany Barkus will officiate. Following the service, public interment will occur at Hillcrest Cemetery. Please join us afterward for fellowship & food back at Sharon Lutheran Church fellowship hall.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. To send online condolences or to share a memory, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.