Kathleen Warren

TRAVERSE CITY — Kathleen Ellen Warren, 77, of Traverse City, formerly of Midland, passed away Monday, July 4, 2011, at Munson Hospice House in Traverse City.Kathleen was born Tuesday, June 26, 1934, to the late Alwilda Mina (Failing) and Earl Eugene Wood in Grayling.Following her graduation from Midland High School, Kathleen continued her education at Michigan State University and went on to earn her master's degree in education from Saginaw Valley State University. She married Dr. David C. Warren on July 7, 1956, in Midland.Kathleen touched the lives of literally thousands of young students over the course of her 43-year career in teaching. For 35 of those years, she shared her wisdom, strength and remarkable sense of humor with her third-graders in the Midland Public Schools. She coached the Adams School track team for many years, where she taught important life lessons to all her exceptional little athletes.Kathleen was a gifted teacher with a joy for life. She was awarded the prestigious Gerstacker Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1997. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, Xi Alpha Chapter in Midland; initiated into the P.E.O. Sisterhood, FA Chapter of Midland, and then transferred her membership to Traverse City. Kathleen also became a member of Alpha Delta Kappa in 1986.She was a member and past president of the Midland County Association of Retired School Personnel; a member of First United Methodist Church of Midland, as well as Central United Methodist Church of Traverse City.Kathleen loved the Up North lifestyle and was a fan of Red Wings hockey and MSU football. An avid reader, she also enjoyed spending time in her garden, solving crossword puzzles, and being involved in church work.Kathleen is survived by her husband, David; children, Sherri (Trent) Tomlinson, of Traverse City, and David (Cathleen) Warren, and her grandsons, Bobby and Kevin Warren, all of California; and her brother, Ronald (Kay) Wood, of Grayling.Visitation for Kathleen will take place from 2 until 4 p.m. Thursday, July 7, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Traverse City. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, July 8, at Central United Methodist Church, 222 Cass St., Traverse City, with visitation beginning at the church one hour prior to the service. Pastor Chris Lane will be officiating. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Regional Healthcare Foundation for Munson Hospice House, 210 Beaumont Place, Traverse City, MI 49684 (or online at www. munsonhealthcare.org); or to the United Methodist Committee on Relief, Central United Methodist Church, 222 Cass Ave., Traverse City, MI 49684 (make checks payable to the church - in memo line state UMCOR - Warren memorial).Please share your memories and condolences with the family via their online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Traverse City.