Ishpeming – Helga Katherine "Kate" Brendle, age 96, went to be with her Savior on January 10, 2010. She had resided at Mather Nursing Center the last 4 years, and previously at 721 S. Pine St., in Ishpeming.


She was born in 1913, to Alexander & Hilda Johnson, and grew up mainly in Ashland, Wisconsin, on Lake Superior. After attending Northland College, she became a school teacher. Her first teaching job was on Madeline Island, WI in Lake Superior, in a 1-room school house. In winter, dog sled was the only access across frozen Lake Superior, to the mainland.


In 1938, while visiting cousins in Ludington, MI, she met and eventually married her first husband, Charles A. Mercadal. Charles & Helga had 4 children: Michele Kay, Caryl Jeanne, Kim Alan, and Joan Dee (Jodi).


In 1978, Kate moved to Clearwater, FL, where she had many close friends, and her special cousin, Julia Johnson-Hantschel. She had a very active life. She loved her job as a restaurant hostess, and worked full time until age 75.


In 1987, she met her second husband, Rudolph Brendle, and moved to nearby Pinellas Park, FL. Kate loved to dance, and took classes in all forms of classical dance styles, including tango, salsa and ballroom. Being a great ballroom dancer, Kate was well-known around the dance clubs in the Clearwater area. She also was a dance-extra in the 1980's film Cocoon. Kate and "Rudy" enjoyed walking and swimming in Pinellas Park. Rudy passed away in 1997.


Within a year of Rudy's passing, Kate returned to the Lake Superior area, to live near her daughter, Joan "Jodi", in Ishpeming. Later, Kate and her son Kim, purchased a house together, on S. Pine St., in Ishpeming.


Preceding her in death were her first and second husbands, 2 daughters, Michele Kay Mercadal, and Caryl Mercadal-Fair, her sister, Hazel Johnson-Yelish, and her cousins, Ruth Ost, Julia Johnson-Hantschel, and Everett Johnson.


She will be lovingly remembered by her family and friends in Ishpeming, and her church family at Bethel Lutheran. Kate leaves behind a son, Kim Mercadal, and a daughter, Joan Mercadal-Crone, both of Ishpeming. Also, 4 grandsons and families, 5 great grandchildren, 3 nieces, and a step-son.


Kate's remaining family and friends will gather in late spring to celebrate her life, and place her cremains in the Ishpeming Cemetery.


The family deeply appreciates the loving support from the Mather Nursing Center staff, and Lake Superior Hospice, over the past few years, and the love and fellowship she had at Bethel Lutheran Church.