Katherine Didas

Katherine (Huber) Didas, age 104, former Portage, MI, resident passed away on March 15, 2025, at Thurston Woods Willowbrook Memory Care Center, Sturgis, MI.

Katherine (Kay) was born February 12, 1921, in Augusta, Michigan, to the late Oral and Bessie (Wing) Huber. She was the fourth of six children and graduated from Climax High School. She also attended nursing school at Bronson Hospital.

She married Leland Bland in 1941 and had four children. This marriage ended in divorce and in 1969 she married Lowell Didas who preceded her in death.

She won several bowling championships and bowled a perfect 300 game. She continued to bowl into her early nineties. In addition, Kay and Lowell loved traveling. They traveled across the United States in their motor home including a trip to Alaska. They also visited England, France and Italy.

Kay had several jobs throughout her life. One of her most interesting was working for Hughes Aircraft in California where she met her second husband Lowell Didas.

She has lived in many places including Simi Valley, CA, Yuma, AZ and Portage, MI.

She is survived by her son Gary L. (Diane) Bland, Sturgis, MI and daughter Joanne M. (Bland) Shannon, Los Angeles, CA and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Lowell; daughters Deanna H. (Bland) Heuer and Janice K. (Bland) Zeller; brother Robert Huber; sisters Virginia (Huber) Perkins, Betty (Huber) Funk, Mary (Huber) Double and Donna (Huber) Armanini.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, March 24th at Milwood United Methodist Church, 3919 Portage St. in Kalamazoo. Pastor Caleb Williams will officiate.

The family greatly appreciated the wonderful care provided by the Thurston Woods staff at the Villa and the Willowbrook Memory Care Center. In addition, they appreciated the care provided by the Compassus hospice staff during Kay's final months.

The Hackman Family Funeral Homes of Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Thurston Woods Village Staff Appreciation Fund, 307 N. Franks Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091.

We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.