Kathleen L McDowell

Born on February 17, 1931, to Robert and Grace (Miller) Kurfess, in Luckey, Ohio Kathleen was the third of their four children. She was born on the same farm as her mother and grew up with a deep love and appreciation for the land and the work of a farm. As she witnessed her father farm their land and her mother, a supportive farm wife and homemaker who later became a nurse, create a loving home dedicated to faith, family and friends she developed these same characteristics and strong work ethic.

After graduating from Perrysburg High School, Kathleen attended St. Vincent’s Hospital’s nursing program which was run by the Grey Nuns. She treasured the education and training she received at St. Vincent and the high standards of care the nuns instilled in the nursing students. She put these skills to work in a nursing career spanning over fifty years.

After graduation she met the love of her life, George L. McDowell. They married and lived in Toledo, Ohio for five years before moving to Swanton, Ohio where they raised their three daughters. In 1980 they relocated to Deerfield Beach for the winters and Kathleen continued nursing in Ohio during the summers and in Florida during the winter. Her husband, George sadly passed away in March of 1981.

While still living part of the year in Ohio Kathleen earned a Degree in Religious Studies from Lourdes University, Sylvania, Ohio. She also received training to be a Commissioned Lay Minister with the former American Lutheran Church. In addition to her nursing career, she worked in many other areas to help and minister to others’ needs. In 1986 she made her first trip to Haiti with a mission group to help the Haitians struggling under the crush of severe poverty and lawlessness. She was concerned for the lives of the Central American countries and prayed for them. In 1992 she spent several months in Homestead Florida post Hurricane Andrew. Working with residents to put their lives back together, she formed lifelong friendships. This included preparing Thanksgiving dinner and sharing the meal under a tent at the Lutheran Church.

Kathleen’s nursing career covered geriatrics, nephrology, hospice, rehabilitation for traumatic brain injuries and private duty. She worked in many nursing homes in Ohio and for the State of Ohio as a nursing facility inspector for several years. To ensure safe and gentle care for aging patients was a lifelong passion. In Florida she worked at Holy Cross Hospital, Pinecrest Rehabilitation Hospital, Hospice by the Sea and performed private duty nursing. She remained involved in nursing until 1997.

In 1985 Kathleen moved permanently to Deerfield Beach. She loved Florida, the warmth and the sunsets. She visited the Deerfield Beach public beach daily to walk. Even though most of her family lived outside of Florida, Kathleen made an effort to visit all of her family around the country and maintained an active interest in all of their lives and family milestones through calls, cards, letters, visits and prayers.

Kathleen was a lifelong Lutheran. While living in Ohio she was a member of Providence Lutheran Church, Holland OH. After her move to Florida, she was a member of Affirmation Lutheran Church in Boca Raton and attended both Good Shepherd, Boca Raton and Christ Lutheran, Fort Lauderdale.

Kathleen was a highly intelligent, kind and generous woman. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, great grandma, friend and role model. A loyal Detroit Tigers fan from birth, she also supported the Marlins, the Royals and the Rangers. A highlight occurred in 1994 when she was able to secure an autograph from Kirk Gibson.

She is survived by her daughters, Jamie Brown (Battle Creek, MI) and Lori Ward (Clint of Tallahassee, FL). Grandchildren Suzanne and husband Justin Maddux of Lucas, TX; Kathleen and husband Joseph Sattler of Elmore, OH; Christopher and wife Bonnie Brown of Mansfield, TX; Georgia and husband Sander DeVries of Beverly Hills, MI; Marlene and husband Josh Hackett of Urbana, OH; Mary and husband David Washek of Columbus, OH; Nancy Ward and fiancé’ Ronald Lasseter of Hollywood, FL; Hailey and husband Joseph DePaula of Hammond, LA; Great-grandchildren Linnea, Beau, Jillian, Kimberly, Ryan, Jacob, Jacob, Silas, Vivian, Christopher, Sander, Easton, Rowan, Reese and Violet. She is also survived by five nephews, Jack, Ron, Rusty, David and Brad and eight nieces, Karen, Shannon, Jan, Cindy, Kelley, Christine, Suzanne and Faye.

She is predeceased by her parents, her husband, George, her daughter Kimber Lee White (Jeff of Urbana, OH); sister and brother-in-law, June and Glen Henry; brothers Paul and Tom (Freda, Bernalillo , NM); Son in law Christopher Brown; sisters and brothers in law Betty and Ted Zimmer; Alice and Joe Lucas; Jack and Marjorie Hallett. Kathleen was the last survivor of her family of origin.

The family wishes to thank the many family members and friends who have been so kind, caring and in constant contact over the last few years of her life. Their calls, cards, pictures and prayers lifted her spirits daily. Bless Eleni Schwarz who was a friend and caregiver. Her smile and gentle ways brought calm and peace through difficult transitions. Special thanks to the Trustbridge Hospice Blue Jay team especially Mercegrace, Jen, Dr. Embry. Denise, Alison and Revered Fred Mortensen and the Manor Care of Boca Raton team Marlene, Arlett, Alethia, Luders and Lula.

A visitation will be held on Friday, May 5 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Walter’s Funeral, 4653 Glendale Avenue, Toledo, Ohio. Funeral Services will be officiated by Pastor Kirk Havel at Providence Lutheran Church, 8131 Airport Highway, Holland Ohio on Saturday May 6th starting with visitation at 10:00 AM. The funeral will begin at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place later in the day at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park Toledo, Ohio.

Memorial contributions In lieu of flowers are appreciated. Suggested organizations include Food for the Poor, www.FoodForThePoor.org. Tunnel to Towers, www.T2T.org. The Nature Conservancy, www.nature.org/Florida. or Trustbridge Hospice of West Palm Beach, www.trustbridge.com.

Arrangements were entrusted to Kraeer-Becker Funeral Home, Deerfield Beach and Walters Funeral Home, Toledo, Ohio. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kraeerdeerfieldbeach.com for the McDowell family.