Katherine "Kate" Shepherd

Katherine “Kate” Winifred Shepherd (neé Boley), age 87, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2025. Born in Jackson, MI, to Dorothy and George Boley, Kate lived a full life devoted to family, with no small measure of adventure. Kate lost her two sisters to childhood illnesses, and grew up with her two brothers, raised by a single mother. She was introduced to Raymond “Ray” Shepherd by his cousin, and they married upon Kate’s high school graduation. They soon welcomed their four much-adored children: Josephine, Timothy, Julie, and Matthew. Out of love, creative expression, and to make ends meet, Kate sewed her children’s clothes throughout their childhoods. In these early years as a wife and mother, she moved with her children to Alaska to join her husband while he worked as a surveyor during the construction of the Al-Can Highway. These were both exciting and challenging times. There, her family narrowly escaped the Great Alaskan Earthquake, which leveled their resident town of Valdez, and experienced a close encounter with a grizzly bear at their new home in Tok, where they lived in a remote family camp. Back in her home state, Kate showed her entrepreneurial streak and creative talents by starting a successful small business near her home in Capac, MI: a custom embroidery and seamstress shop. Kate and Ray enjoyed 35 years of marriage before he passed away from cancer at age 53, after which Kate moved to Traverse City in 1990 to be nearer to her children and grandchildren. Soon after, she met and married Dave Schichtel, and together they owned Four Seasons Window and Glass and enjoyed traveling together and time with each other’s families. In her spare time, Kate nurtured her creativity as a talented artist, exceptional seamstress, and passionate gardener. She also built many lasting, close friendships. It was common for bank tellers, checkout clerks, and the wait staff at her favorite restaurants to know and welcome her by name. She was a member and leader of various local organizations including a term as president of the Traverse Bay Area Republican Women’s Club. Kate was productive, frugal, not one to sit still, and was always creating, baking, building, or painting. Her home was filled with her artwork and practical, inventive solutions to everyday life. Kate is survived by daughter Josephine (Paul) Christiansen of Maple City, MI, and their daughters Katie (Jordan), Abbie (Rushabh), and Lily (Alex); son Timothy (Celeste) Shepherd of Saginaw Township, MI and their children Brandon and Lindsay; daughter Julie DuLac of Williamsburg, MI and her son Luke; and son Matthew (Kristen) Shepherd of Grand Haven, MI and their children Jackson and Karaliina. Kate was blessed with 5 great-grandchildren: Oliver, Crosby, Sylva, Runi, and Blythe. Left to cherish her memory is beloved niece Kim Phelps. Kate was preceded in death by her husband Raymond E. Shepherd, her sisters Marjorie (in infancy) and Josephine (in childhood), her brothers Kenneth Boley and George Boley both of Jackson, MI, and her son-in-law Mark DuLac of Williamsburg, MI. Above all, Kate will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother and grandmother whose kindness, generosity, and selflessness touched all who knew her. It is clear to all her family that she saw this as her greatest calling. She will be dearly missed. A private family service will be held in celebration of her life.

Katherine "Kate" Shepherd

March 5, 1938 - October 13, 2025