Kathryn Eileen McLeod

Kathryn Eileen McLeod was welcomed into Heaven on November 24, 2021. She was born September 9, 1924 in Milford, Iowa to Aurelia and Anthony Erdman. Mom said Old Doc Green delivered her and she weighed in at 12 lbs. While the family moved several times throughout the years, some of her fondest memories were the times spent at her Grandparents farm.

Kathryn worked several jobs during high school, including Standard oil and scooping ice cream. After her graduation from St. Joseph High School in Mason City, she was accepted to Creighton University in Omaha to study nursing.

Her Dad did not have the $50 tuition fee, so she had to work and save a while longer. WW2 had started and many nursing students were going overseas. Her Dad did not want her to go away, so she stayed at school and finished her Nursing degree in 3 years. The nurses who stayed had too many patients and the workload was daunting. She remembered wrapping polio patient’s legs in hot wool blankets, which was a new treatment.

After graduation, Kathryn moved to Ann Arbor with a friend and took a job at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. She met and married Jim McLeod. They had 3 daughters and a son.

As a stay-at-home Mom, she volunteered for many jobs at her children’s school and church, St Thomas in Ann Arbor. Kathryn also enjoyed gardening, walking, writing poetry and going to her beloved Treasure Mart, where she bought and sold many good pieces of furniture. She passed her love of decorating on to her children and grandchildren.

After her children graduated Kathryn took a refresher course in Nursing. She enjoyed several nursing venues throughout the years. She worked with anorexic teens at Mott Children’s, newborns and preemies at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Veterans at the VA hospital and seniors at the Anna Botsford House and Hillside Terrace.

It was during these years that most of her nine grandchildren were born. She loved them dearly and excelled as a Grandma. There were many sleepovers, art fairs, train trips and concerts, especially the Christmas sing-a-long at the Michigan Theatre. It was also during this time that she wrote beautiful poetry. Many of her poems were published in the Ann Arbor News. Kathryn’s inquisitive nature and love for knowledge never diminished.

Mom lived independently until recently. In 2020 she suffered a fall which resulted in her residing at EHM Senior Solutions in Saline Mi. While she was immobile these past 18 months, she remained very cheerful and brave. In addition, she became even a more devout prayer warrior. Kathryn credited her strong Catholic faith for giving her strength and courage. Many people were the recipients of her daily rosaries and prayers. As her body diminished, her spirit grew brighter, preparing her for heaven. We will miss you so much. Well done good and faithful servant!

She is survived by her children, Diane Sobey (Jim), Sue Pace, Lynne Brudon and Patrick McLeod(JoEllyn). Her grandchildren Alan Sobey(Whitney), Tony Pace(Andrea) Jason Pace(Carrie) Adam Pace(Alison) and Katie Plomaritas (Adam). Nick Brudon and Lindsey Morse (Johann). Kyle McLeod ( Mark) and Keith McLeod (Hannah). She is also survived by fourteen great grandchildren. Sheldon Sobey. William and Jack Pace. Nicholas and Naomi Pace. Henry, Steven and June Pace. Aidan, Max and Christopher Plomaritas. Anden, Ayla, and Avery Morse.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents Anthony and Aurelia, her brother Bob and her sisters Donella, Rose and Helen. Also, her son-in-law Steve Pace and her dear friend Barb Craven.

We would like to thank the staff at EHM in Saline MI. They were amazing in their love and care for our Mother. We will always be grateful for them and the hard work they do caring for the elderly.

The funeral will take place on Monday December 13th at 10 am St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Ann Arbor. There will be a 9 am visitation at the church prior to the funeral Service. Burial will take place immediately following at St. Joseph Cemetery in Dexter, MI.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.muehligannarbor.com for the McLeod family.