Kathryn Jean Lesausky

Kathryn Lesausky colored her world with love and intensity; the many facets of her personality brought affection and fun to everyone around her. Her infectious laughter, her zest for life, and her ability to overcome the health problems that could have overshadowed her, were an inspiration. She was a remarkable woman who constantly amazed family and friends with her upbeat attitude, persisting in spite of the difficulties she faced.The decade of the 1950’s was known as the “Nifty Fifties,” brining a dramatic increase of television broadcasting, a worldwide obsession with rock ’n roll, and the introduction of blue jeans to the world of fashion. Roy and Muriel (Brubaker) Feldt, of Hart, Michigan were celebrating a thrilling time in their lives as well; Muriel was due to give birth to twins at any time. They and their four older children were indeed blessed on May 5, 1954 with the birth of a son, Kenneth, and a daughter, Kathryn.At the young age of two, Kathy was diagnosed with type I diabetes, which brought a variety of challenges for Kathy to deal with as she was growing up; challenges that she courageously faced head on. Their family, later joined by three more children, lived in Silver Lake, Michigan where Kathy, nicknamed “Kitty” due to the small kitten-like voice she had, attended and graduated from Hart Schools. She was a genuine “tom boy” who loved to play sports and be involved in outdoor activities. Kathy was also very protective of all of her siblings, but had a special relationship with her twin brother Ken. Kathy would always try to intercept Kenny's spankings, even when well-deserved, by demanding that her parents punish her instead; persisting to the point of getting herself in trouble. Her brothers and sisters loved her unique, infectious laugh, which would spark at least a smile out of anyone within earshot, and more often, got them laughing as well. She was a “barrel of fun,” sometimes pushing the limits, which tended to get her into trouble as a teenager! Kathy was a very determined girl, sometimes even to the point of being defiant as a young woman. But her determination also served her well. When she overturned on her snowmobile at the bottom of a hill, Kathy saw it as a challenge to conquer that hill once and for all, and she did. Along with her self determination, Kathy held her family in high esteem; it was Kathy who camped out by the hospital bedside of her sick parents, acting as a hostess to others that came to visit, and unofficial guardian of their care. She would do anything she could to help out and care for her family members.Life brought many interesting events her way. One evening, Kathy shared a dance with a young man who caught her attention at the Whiskey Creek Bar. When the young man's ride left early for home, he too had to leave, and they missed the chance to exchange names and numbers. The bar burned down the next day and it seemed their opportunity to connect was gone as well. But, Tom Lesausky and Kathy Feldt were pleasantly surprised to find themselves unexpectedly in the same grocery store just a week later, and they made sure to introduce themselves to each other and promised to meet again. A romance ensued and they married on April 5, 1975 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Custer.The newlyweds lived near Tom’s family in Custer where she helped her father-in-law on the farm with chores like feeding cows and baling hay, among many others. Kathy had worked as a gang welder at Howell Wire for a few years and later as a seamstress for the Mitchell Corporation in Ludington for about 12 years. She loved to do all kinds of outdoor activities: dirt bike riding, slalom water skiing, gardening, and even just walking outdoors when she was no longer able to do things that were so physically demanding. Kathy loved fishing as well, especially out in the boat at Hamlin Lake, where often their fishing day would begin at 4 a.m. and continue until midnight. She was a very good cook and was famous for her baked spaghetti casserole. She was also well-known for her abundant and constant supply of candy and goodies that she loved to share.At first, Kathy could seem a bit shy, but it didn’t take long for her fun-loving personality to warm up, especially around her family. She had an especially close relationship with her sister Judy and husband Jim since he and her husband Tom were brothers, creating double family ties. Family was of the utmost importance to Kathy, and together she and Tom went through an intense three year process in order to adopt a baby from Korea. Their determination was abundantly rewarded with the adoption of their son, Chad. Kathy embraced her role as a mother, proudly watching Chad grow into a wonderful young man. Everything he has accomplished in his life brought her vast amounts of pride and delight.When Kathy’s diabetes became more limiting for her, she found other ways to bring fulfillment to her life. She took care of the lawn and gardens at home, helping other family members whenever she could. A special joy for Kathy was being an "excellent second mother", providing child care for her beloved nephews, Brad and Leo, and her niece, Brittney, for whom she had a special soft spot. Always wanting to add to the fun, Kathy was the hit of Christmas when she dressed up as Santa for all her little nieces and nephews.Kathy's little dogs also held a distinctive place in her life and heart. Her dachshunds Weeny, Harley, and most recently, Doo Doo, were her constant companions. They walked and played with her and even looked out for her. The affectionate relationship with the dogs was mutual, as Kathy poured herself into them as well, loving and spoiling them.Over the past few years, Kathy’s diabetes brought more ups and downs, and through all the trials and joys, Tom became even more vigilant in his care for her. She was keenly aware of the disruptions caused by her insulin reactions and self conscious about them in public. They had animated and intense discussions on how to handle those reactions; he valiantly monitored her diet, medications and exercise, and helped her enjoy the life they had together. Although she was more challenged physically in later years, Kathy still had a desire to drive, which was fulfilled through her driving the John Deere lawn tractor all around their property (with the occasional collision never dampening her enthusiasm for driving).Kathy often set her own needs aside to tend to the needs of others. She was one of those special people who made an imprint on your life not easily forgotten. Her love for her family and memories of life with her will be forever etched on the hearts of all those she leaves behind.Kathryn Jean Lesausky died on Thursday, December 4, 2008 from complications of diabetes. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Terry and James, her sister Laurie and her father-in-law Albert Lesausky. She will be missed by her husband Tom, their son Chad of San Francisco, CA; her brothers and sisters Gary & Terri Feldt, and Vicki & John Dubnicka, all of Matawan, her twin brother Ken & Tracy Feldt of East Grand Rapids, her sister & Tom’s brother, Judy & James Lesausky of Silver Lake; her mother-in-law Ruth Lesausky of Custer, her brothers- and sisters-in-law John & Kathleen Lesausky, Ellen Shangle, Therese & Robert McClure, and Susan & Leo Uber, all of Custer, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.A Memorial Mass will be celebrated for Kathy at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 8, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Custer with Rev. Johnson Pappusamy and Rev. Isidro Gargantiel as Con-Celebrants. Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation on Sunday evening from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Stephens Funeral Home in Scottville, with the Rosary to be prayed for Kathy at 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions made be made in care of her family. Please visit Kathy’s memory page at www.stephensfuneralhome.net where you can sign the guestbook or leave a favorite memory of Kathy for her family.

Kathryn Jean Lesausky

May 5, 1954 - December 4, 2008