Katherine M. Lafrance

Kay was a loving, selfless woman who showed great love to her family and friends throughout her life. Always ready to lend an ear, Kay looked upon others with great love and respect, and was always willing to help and provide love and encouragement. With an enthusiasm for life, Kay joyfully raised her four rowdy boys, and proved herself a tolerant, scrappy soul. A loving wife, mother, and friend, Kay will be greatly missed. In 1915, the world was holding their breath as they watched the horrors of the First World War unfold. It was a time when women still wore long skirts and confining corsets, a postage stamp cost two cents, and the 19th Amendment providing women with the right to vote was still a thing of the future. In 1915 in Muskegon, Michigan, Christian and Clara (Dresen) Strieder were kept busy with their seven children, and expecting their eighth any day. One brisk spring day, on March 17, 1915, the Strieder family welcomed a new life into their home, a baby girl named Katherine. Katherine, or Kay, enjoyed her childhood growing up on the family farm on Sternberg Road in Muskegon. As the next to the youngest child, Kay was kept busy playing with brothers and sisters, Joe, George, Chris, Ann, Liz, Clara, Rose, Ed and Marie. While Kays father worked hard on the farm to support his family, her mother worked in the house to create a loving home for her family. Like most little girls, Kay loved playing with her doll and buggy. While farm life didnt allow much time for vacations, the Streider family still enjoyed playing games together, and were a very close-knit group. Kay was especially close with her brother Chris. He would always look out for Kay and let her tag along with him on trips to the beach. The two also tended a small garden together on the farm. Later, when Chris and Kay were a bit older, Chris would pay Kay to iron his pants and shine his shoes, and when he brought his girl friend over for dinner, he would pay her to bake a cake. Kay attended Hile School, but left after the 8th grade. While Kay always kept an ambition to become a nurse, her first job after school was at American Knitting Mill, where she sewed buttonholes. One fateful day, Kays sister, Rose, introduced Kay to a young man she worked with named Paul LaFrance. It was love at first sight for Kay and Paul. I guess you could say the rest is history: on September 17, 1938, Kay became Mrs. Paul LaFrance. The newlyweds settled down in a home on Sanford Street in Muskegon. After two years, the happy young couple began a family of their own, welcoming their first son, Tom, into their home in 1940. Toms birth was followed by the births of three more sons, Jerry in 1942, Phil in 1948, and Dick in 1950. Though Kay was kept busy raising her four rowdy boys, she loved being a mother, and the LaFrance family enjoyed many special times together. They enjoyed taking many Sunday drives, and had extra special holidays graced by Kays wonderful cooking. Christmas Eves were always particularly special: Kay would plan games for the family and serve pickled herring, beer, and her favorite Irish Rose wine. Kay and her family attended St. Jeans Catholic Church. They were proud to be able to send their children to Catholic School, with Paul supporting the family by working at Teledyne Continental Motors. Later, as the kids were growing, Kay got a job working in the cafeteria at Muskegon Piston Ring, and later Muskegon Community College. Paul and Kay enjoyed a happy marriage together, and loved playing cards with their friends, bowling and playing golf. Unfortunately, Paul passed away on March 1, 1987, leaving Kay devastated. Fortunately Kay had always kept in contact with her brothers and sisters, and her close family helped her through the hardship of her husbands passing. In her retirement, Kay loved to keep busy. She enjoyed spending time with her special friends, John and Jessie Nelson, Goldie Seng and Merle Dell. Together, this group of friends would go clubbing or dancing at the Eagles and Vikings. Kay also enjoyed attending a monthly ladies card clubshe played there into her 90's! Kay loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Recently, she enjoyed attending a special Mothers Day lunch with her granddaughters. Taking great joy in her family, Kay always looked forward to any new pictures of her great-grandchildren. Kay was a selfless, joyful woman who lived her life with enthusiasm. Always the most happy surrounded by the people she loved, Kay was a generous, loving person. A loving wife, devoted parent, and fun friend, Kay created many memories throughout her life that will be cherished forever by those who knew her. Katherine died on Tuesday, June 1, 2010.Kay is survived by her 3 sons, Thomas (Elaine) LaFrance, Richard (Sherri) LaFrance, both of Whitehall, Phillip (Pamela) LaFrance of SC; 12 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; several nieces & nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; son, Gerald, grandson, William; 5 sisters; 4 brothers. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, June 7, 2010 at St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church with Fr. Matt Barnum officiating. Internment to follow at St. Marys Cemetary. Friends may visit with the family from 6-9 p.m. on Sunday, June 6 at Clock Life Story Funeral Home, Muskegon, and on Monday one hour prior to the service at St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo and sign the online guestbook.