On March 19, Katie (Kathleen) Ann Nelson, 66, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Katie was born to Lorena Rose Cusack and Edward J. Manning on March 26, 1949, in Lansing, Michigan. She attended Portland St. Patrick Catholic High School and graduated with the class of 1967. She received her radiology technician degree from St. Lawrence Hospital in 1969.
Katie married Tom Nelson on June 26, 1971 in Lansing, Michigan at Holy Cross Catholic Church. They relocated to Ludington in June of 1978, where they raised their three children.
Katie spent her career in the service of others. After several years of program development for elders at the Senior Citizen Center, Katie brought her enthusiasm and skills to Ludington Area Schools. She served students as a para pro in special education for over seventeen years. In more recent years, she supported families of children with autism as a behavior analysis technician.
Katie was an active member of St. Simon Catholic Church, frequently volunteering for events and supporting the parish school throughout the years. Katie was also a member of the notorious GNO (Girls Night Out) group, sharing years of excitement and untold adventures with other fun‐loving local ladies.
Katie’s hobbies included traveling and playing scrabble with Tom, walking the loop, enjoying time with her grandchildren, spending fun times with family and friends, and gambling trips to casinos. Katie had a vibrant personality and an infectious laughter. She was kind and loving and always made those around her feel welcome. Katie brought holidays to life, throwing legendary Fourth of July parties and baking tasty treats for every occasion. Her family always came first. She was a feisty force of faith, fun and love.
Katie is survived by her loving husband Tom and three grown children, Paul (Faith) Nelson of Ludington, Gail (Tom) Bourguignon of Missoula, Montana, and Jessica A. Nelson of Brighton, Michigan. Katie will also be greatly missed by her grandchildren, her sisters, and the entire extended “Christmas Family”; grandchildren Charlee, Max, and Isla Nelson of Ludington; Felix and Woody Bourguignon of Missoula, Montana; sisters Sally (Pat) Ryan of Lansing, Michigan; Joyce (Julius) Platte of Portland, Michigan; Rosie Manning of Sitka, Alaska; and Doni Knoop of Ionia, Michigan.
She is preceded in death by her parents, nephew Herb Platte, and three brothers‐in‐law. Heaven better be ready for a party!
The family will greet guests prior to a funeral service at St. Simon Catholic Church on March 26. The service is set to begin at 1:30 p.m. The family would like to invite family and friends for a celebration of Katie’s life at Oak Grove Funeral Home directly following the service. There will be a private burial at Pere Marquette Catholic Cemetery at later date.
To share a photo or a memory of Katie, please visit the book of memories at www.oakgrovefh.com. Katie requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be designated to the family for a memorial to be determined at a later date. Envelopes are available at Oak Grove Funeral Home & Cremation Center.
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