Kathleen Garrelts Obituary

Mrs. Kathleen Marion Garrelts, affectionately known by all as Mom or Grandma, breathed her last on October 4, 2023, in McHenry, IL, after a well-lived life of 87 years. Born on March 20, 1936, in Detroit, MI, Kathleen's journey was a testament to the power of love, resilience, and unyielding optimism. Kathleen's life was defined by her passion for family, love for old-time music, and an indomitable spirit that made her the president and CEO of all things family. She was a beacon of joy, whose light touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. Her laughter was infectious, her love was unwavering, and her spirit was unbreakable. As Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. "Kathleen embodied this sentiment, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those she loved. She graduated from Janesville High School, after which she took on many roles in various fields. But her most cherished role was that of a matriarch, a role she relished with a passion that was unparalleled. Kathleen was the glue that held her family together, and her presence was a constant source of comfort, guidance, and inspiration. Kathleen's love for dance was legendary, and she would often reminisce about the days when she would twirl and sway to the rhythm of the old-time music she loved so dearly. Her love for music was so profound that she dedicated every Saturday night to "Lawrence Welk" night, a tradition that brought her immense joy and happiness. But, what truly brought Kathleen the most joy were her grandkids and great grandkids. She cherished every visit, every game, every show, every dance move, and every moment spent with the little ones. After these visits, she would often need a good rest, but the joy she derived from these moments was priceless. Kathleen was the true embodiment of the quote by George Bernard Shaw, "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. " She created a life filled with love, laughter, and close-knit family bonds. Kathleen is survived by her loving family, children Karen Martin, Peter Meehan, Lawrence (Lynn) Meehan, Robert (Judy) Meehan, Susan Meehan, David (Deborah) Meehan, and Nancy (Kevin) Cantwell. She was also the proud grandmother to Renee, Sarah, Peter (Amanda), Amanda (Mike), Tony, Kelly (Marsin), DJ, Chip, Allison, Kyle, Michael (Molly), Nathan (Shelby), Sean, Dakota, Matthew, and Clifford. Her legacy continues in her great-grandchildren Keynan, Keyshaun, Jermel, Lilah, Madelyne, Alivia, Caiden, Layla, Lacey, Liam, Landon, Christian, Jaxson, Alexandra, Carter, Molly, Jeremy, Andrew, Donovan, Zack, Makena, Lilly, and Ruth. Kathleen is preceded in death by her husband Walter Garrelts and two beloved grandsons Joshua and Bobby Jo. Mrs. Kathleen Marion Garrelts' life was a testament to the power of love, resilience, and the strength of family bonds. Her spirit, energy, and love will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She has left us with a legacy of love, a blueprint for living a life filled with joy, and a reminder that in the end, it's not about the years in your life, but the life in your years that truly matter. Rest in peace, Kathleen, your spirit will continue to dance in our hearts forever. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at the Woodland Cemetery, 1601 N. Richmond Road, McHenry, IL. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Justen Funeral Home & Crematory in McHenry, IL. For information, please call the Funeral Home at 815-385-2400, or visit www. justenh. com, where friends and family may share memories of Kathleen on her tribute wall.