Kathryn Mae Subocz

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Kathryn Subocz, was a blessing to everyone she met. She was a lifelong resident of the community she loved, and as a teacher she inspired her students to do their very best. Above all, Kathryn was deeply devoted to her family that grew to include numerous branches of loved ones who made her so very proud. Life was not without times of trial for her, but she possessed a strong and unwavering faith that carried her through life’s storms. Although she will be deeply missed, Kathryn’s timeless legacy will be carried on by those who follow in her footsteps.

It was great to be an American during the 1920s. Often recalled as the Roaring Twenties, innovation was taking us places we had never been. Radios, washing machines, and motion pictures in both color and sound were signs of the time when the lights of Broadway never shined brighter. Amidst this exciting time there was much to celebrate in the lives of William and Lucille (Brown) Platte as they announced the birth of the baby girl they named Kathryn Mae on September 7, 1921. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she lived her first few years in the family home on the West Side of the city alongside her younger brother, William. Kathryn’s father owned an automotive garage on Leonard Street, NW, while her mother was a homemaker. Sadly, her father died when she was only two years old. Her mother later remarried a farmer in Alpine Township. The family moved to the farm and that is where Kathryn's sister Betty was born.

In many ways, Kathryn was a young girl of her generation. She was always very close to her cousins, Thelma Klenk and Gene Bouwkamp, and together they often took Sunday drives in the early days of the automobile. The three of them also frequented dances and went to various dance halls. Kathryn was a student at local schools in Alpine Township, and she went on to graduate from Sparta High School in 1940. Kathryn continued her education at Western Michigan Univeristy where she earned her teaching certificate.

New and exciting changes were in store for Kathryn when she met the young man of her dreams. His name was Edward Subocz, and they met at a local dance. They soon began dating and fell deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, Kathryn and Edward were married at Holy Trinity Catholic Church when she was 29 and he was 36. They spent a honeymoon in Northern Wisconsin. The newlyweds settled into a home on Milton Street, SE in Grand Rapids and attended St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Together they were blessed with three children, Michael, Stephen, and Anne. Edward worked as a mechanical engineer at American Seating, which allowed Kathryn to stay home and focus on raising their children. After nine years on Milton Street, they built a home on Ducoma Street, NW, where they lived for 48 years. There, they became members of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church where Kathryn was very actively involved. As a family they took many fun-filled summer trips to Colorado, North and South Dakota, Kentucky, North Manitou Island, as well as Northern Michigan and Mackinac Island. Once her children were older, Kathryn took a job teaching third grade at Marne Elementary, where she remained for 15 years until retiring.

There were many things that kept Kathryn busy over the years. She was an excellent seamstress who made many clothes for the kids, and she also had an amazing green thumb and enjoyed tending to her flowers all around the yard. As her family and friends can attest, Kathryn’s skills in the kitchen were amazing, and among her specialties were her chicken, chocolate chip cookies, pies, and cakes. She also made a variety of jams and jellies and canned numerous fruits and vegetables. When relaxing, she liked watching Lawrence Welk on Saturday evenings. Together Kathryn and Ed traveled extensively around the world for as long as they were able. As they grew older they were both filled with unspeakable joy to become grandparents, and she spent as much time with her grandchildren as she could. In 2001, Kathryn was deeply saddened with the death of her beloved husband. Although the days, weeks, and months that followed were difficult, she drew strength from her faith and the love of her family.

About seven years ago, Kathryn sold her home and moved to Lincoln Square Senior Living where she made many new friends and was active in the community. By the time she was 90, Kathyn slowed down.

Described as a loving, compassionate, and faith-filled woman, Kathryn Subocz was the kind of woman everyone wanted to meet. She generously gave to those in need and was selfless when it came to her family and friends. It was easy to see that Kathryn’s faith was the compass she used to direct her steps, and she was someone who always wanted things done well. She will never be forgotten.

Kathryn Mae Subocz, aged 93 of Grand Rapids, peacefully passed away at her home on Thursday, June 25, 2015. She is survived by her children, Michael (Sally) Subocz, Stephen Subocz, Anne (Jim) Kikstra; her grandchildren, Emily (Casey) Rogelette, Alice Sellers-Subocz, Nickolas Kikstra; her great granddaughter, Rosie Rogelette; her brother, Bill (Rita) Platte; other nieces, nephews and many friends. Kathryn’s father, William Platte, died when she was 2 years old. She was raised by her mother, Lucille (Brown) Platte, until her mother remarried, and lived on a farm in Alpine Township. Kathryn graduated from Sparta High School and went on to earn her teaching certificate from Western Michigan University. She married the love of her life, Edward Subocz, when she was 29 and he was 36. She taught in a one room school house in Alpine Twp., and later taught 3rd grade at Marne Elementary for over 15 years until her retirement. She and husband, Ed Subocz, traveled extensively around the world. Kathryn was a loving and generous, wife, mother, grandmother who always wanted things done well. She gave generously to many charities. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Edward Subocz, her sister, Betty (Bruce) Bacheller, and her granddaughter, Katy Sellers-Subocz. She was a longtime active member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Due to the construction at St. Anthony’s, the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 30, at 10:00 AM at St. James Catholic Church, 733 Bridge St. NW. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM with a scripture service at 7:00 PM. Contributions to Providence Child Center Foundation or Paralyzed Veterans of America. To read more about Kathryn’s life, to leave your own memory of her and to sign her guest book, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com