Ishpeming – Kathy Richards, age 58, of 14350 Co Rd CD, Ishpeming, passed away on Friday, June 26, 2015 at her home. She was in the loving care of her family and the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice at the time of her death.

Kathy was born August 14, 1956 in Jackson, MI and was raised by her parents in Ishpeming. She was a graduate of the Ishpeming High School. Kathy married Michael J. Richards on April 7, 1973 in Ishpeming and was a lifelong area resident. She worked for 15 years at the Bavarian Inn in Marquette, starting as a waitress and hostess but eventually became the restaurant manager. She had also worked at the Jasper Ridge in Ishpeming as a waitress for 5 years, retiring in 2003 in order to spend time with her grandchildren whom she loved and adored.

Kathy was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church. She will be remembered by her family and friends as an excellent cook and baker, and a kind and generous soul who was the caretaker of her entire family. She enjoyed reading, playing cards, camping, going for boat rides and watching the Green Bay Packers, University of Michigan Wolverines and Detroit Tigers.

Survivors include her husband Michael J. Richards of Ishpeming, 2 children – Cory (Lynn) Richards of Ishpeming and Michelle Kronner of Rochester Hills, 3 grandchildren – Bobby, Katie & Cole, her beloved dog Willey, her father and step-mother Joseph and Barbara Roose of Ishpeming, 3 brothers – Joe (Michel) Roose of Crystal Falls, Steve (Janice) Roose of Mesa, AZ and Chris (Pam) Roose of Ishpeming, 2 step-sisters – Debbie (Steve) Branstrom of Perkins and Linda (Lou) Bollon and Mayville, along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother Edna Roose and infant brother, who both passed away during his birth, and her in-laws – Robert and Charlotte Richards.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 1:00 – 2:00 pm on Thursday, July 2, 2015 at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Ishpeming. A memorial service will follow at 2:00pm on Thursday at the Bethany Lutheran Church with the Rev. Kenneth Lahners and Rev. Warren Geier to officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Hospital at stjude.org or to the Upper Peninsula Home Health and Hospice, 510 Mather Ave., Ishpeming, MI 49849.

Kathy's obituary may also be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .