Kathryn "Katie" Jean Christunas, age 98, passed away on Thursday morning, March 12, 2026, at the Pavilions in Traverse City, Michigan surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 16, 1928, the daughter of Charles and Pearl (Meyers) Brower.

Katie worked at Detroit Gasket Company as an inspector, where she met Ernest Christunas. They later married on September 18, 1952.

Katie retired from Sinai Hospital of Detroit as an OR technician, she then moved to Manistee, Michigan to be next to her beloved sister. She was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Walsh Post #4499 in Manistee, where she had many friends and worked many a Friday night fish fry!

Katie was a very kind and giving soul. Everyone who met Katie became a dear friend of hers.

The loved ones she joins are her parents, Charles and Pearl, sister Betty, grandson Dalton Christunas, great-granddaughter Olivia Gagne.

Those she leaves behind to cherish her memory are her daughters Judy Leal, Susan and Bill Keller, Sandra and Don Haller, her sons David Christunas and Daniel Christunas.

Grandchildren, Dennis and Amanda Ross, Toni and Gary Gagne, Dustin and Christina Christunas, Kevin and Tiffany Brannan, Mitchell Christunas, Chase Keller, Nicholas Christunas, Cole Keller along with 9 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of life at a later date in Manistee, Michigan.