Kathryn “Kathy” Diane Kapela, beloved Wife, Mom and Grandma, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2025. She was born July 9, 1943 in Toledo, OH to George and Rita (Moore) Rank.
Kathy graduated from Bedford High School in 1961. She met Robert “Bob” Kapela while in high school and they started dating as teens. They married in September 1961 and raised four daughters. During their 63 years of marriage, they were members of St. Anthony Catholic Church and also together built their dream house on Pioneer Tree Farm.
Kathy loved taking care of and spending time with her family and her dog, Mikey. She enjoyed crocheting and was very talented. Over the years, many friends and family members received gifts of beautiful baby blankets and afghans. Kathy also enjoyed music, shopping, bingo, reading and family competitions during Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Kathy never met a stranger and would always end up chatting with others in a store or waiting room. She always said that just a passing smile could positively impact someone’s day.
She is survived by her husband, Robert; daughters, Kristine McGuckin (John), Susan Maier, Karen Kapela (Laurie); son-in-law, Tony Marvet; grandchildren, Cody Maier, Kelsey Parent (Alex), Jon Marvet; great-grandchildren, Ayla and Emily Parent; and her eldest brother, Robert (Judy) Rank.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Dianne Kapela in 2015; siblings, William (Sandra) Rank, Carol (Ray) Schieb, Frederick (Nancy) Rank, Roland (Eileen) Rank, and Linda (Jack) Eaton.
A memorial visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2025 in the Urbanski’s Bedford Funeral Chapel 8300 Lewis Ave. Temperance, MI. The memorial mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 31, 2025 in St. Anthony Catholic Church Temperance, MI. where visitation will be in the narthex after 10:00 a.m. Burial of the ashes will be at a later date.
The family gives special thanks to Hampton Manor-Bedford Memory Care and Activities staff members for their exceptional care of Kathy during her stay there. They also appreciate special sisters-in-law, Teresa Fox and Nancy Rank for their support and compassion during Kathy’s illness.