Kathleen Alice Oelslager

Kathie lived an extraordinarily, ordinary life. She grew up in Homer, Michigan where she spent time with great friends including the “Fine Nine” and living above Bradley’s Market, the family grocery store.

Kathie attended Central Michigan University where she earned her teaching degree. Following graduation, she began her teaching career in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Kathie met John in Kalamazoo where they married and started a family.

The Oelslagers moved to Adrian, Michigan where they lived for 13 years. In Adrian they made great friends through the Newcomer’s group and in the bleachers of their children’s sporting events. After Adrian, they moved to the Chicago area, back to Kalamazoo and then to Cleveland before landing in Fenton, Michigan and Naples, Florida for retirement. In every location, Kathie made great friends usually through book clubs, playing bridge, golf or mahjong, and PEO. Her final days were spent with family and visits from her Gulf Breeze friends.

Kathie was a world traveler, an avid reader, a lover of puns and crosswords, and a player of games. She would talk polite politics with whomever would take on that challenge and was famous for sharing “I just read somewhere” quips, quotes and ideas. Her smile and kindness touched the lives of many people in her path.

Kathie loved her family dearly. She was kind and always included everyone in any event she was planning. She invited people to her home and welcomed new faces. One summer she hosted overnight house guests at the lake for 45 straight days - different combinations of grandkids, family, and friends. We each believe that we are her “favorite” child/friend/grandkid because we each are in her special way.

Kathie will be missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, Chuck and Frances Bradley, by her sister Betsy Miller and by her brother Mike Bradley.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, John; children Barbie Hoag (Tom) and Jeff Oelslager (Kim); grandchildren Sam Hoag (22), Annie Hoag (20), Joe Hoag (18), Jack Oelslager (15) and Izzie Oelslager (11); her sister Jeanne Mendoza, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life service and luncheon will be held at Hodges Funeral Home at 525 111th Ave N, Naples, Florida on Saturday, February 5 at 11:00am. Another service/memorial is planned to be held in Michigan at a date to be determined.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Immokalee Foundation (https://immokaleefoundation.org/donate ) or St. Jude’s (https://www.stjude.org/give.html)