Kathryn M. Grisdale-Utterback

Kathryn Martha Utterback, 90, of Mt. Pleasant died swiftly and peacefully on April 17, 2008 at Central Michigan Community Hospital following a very brief illness. Kathryn was born on January 28, 1918 in Beal City, the youngest child of the late John and Anna (Elias) Gross. In her youth she was a bright student and accomplished musician, serving as organist at St. Philomena Catholic Church while attending high school. In 1936 she married Wilfred Bill Grisdale. Together they had six children, four sons and two daughters, before his untimely death in 1956. On July 16, 1958 she wed Robert Utterback, with whom she had another two sons. Their marriage lasted 40 years until his death in 1998. Kathryn was a faithful and longstanding parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she was a member of the Catholic Daughters and the Altar Society. The wife of a coach, she was, for many years, a persistent presence at Mt. Pleasant High School and Sacred Heart Academy sporting events. In addition to her role as wife and mother, she was an avid gardener and amateur musician. Her interests also included crewelwork and needlepoint. Those who knew Kathryn will remember her as a woman of honesty, sensitivity, and quiet grace. She was loyal to friends and, above all, devoted to her family, who dearly mourn her passing. Kathryn is survived by her children Mary Ann (Clarence) Tuma of Mt. Pleasant, Terry Grisdale of Lake Isabella, Dan (Jan) Grisdale of Lake Isabella, Chuck (Nancy) Grisdale of Brookfield, WI, Pat (Diane) Grisdale of Mt. Pleasant, Sue (Jerry) Massaro of Algonquin, IL, Rob Utterback of Ann Arbor, and Rick (Karen) Utterback of Traverse City; grandchildren Lori (Tim) Lowery, G.R. (Kristina) Schrotenboer, Sherri (Todd) Hessbrook, Renee (Sumner) Anderson, Katie (Steve) Quiroga, Brian Massaro, Meghan Massaro, Aaron (Maria) Shipp, and Cailin Utterback; great-grandchildren Jake and Luke Lowery, Zach and Kristin Schrotenboer, Jordan and Logan Hessbrook, Stella Anderson, and Virgil Quiroga; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husbands, Kathryn was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Gross and sister, Vera Glover. The staff and caregivers of Maplewood Assisted Living of Mt. Pleasant were especially kind to Kathryn during the past two years. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant with Father Robert Byrne presiding. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Lux Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant on Monday from 2-8 p.m. with the vigil beginning at 4 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Tuesday from 10-11 a.m. Memorials may be made to the Sacred Heart Academy Foundation or the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation. Envelopes are available at Lux Funeral Home.