Kathleen G. Kangus

Kathleen Gertrude Kangas of St. Clair, MO, formerly Grayling, MI, departed this life in Washington, MO on March 7, 2010 having reached the age of ninety two years, two months and seventeen days. Kathleen was bom in Davidson, Saskatchewan, Canada on December 18. 1917, daughter of William Arthur Furby and Syble Furby nee Peterson. On August 14, 1937, she was united in marriage to Johannes Nester Kangas and three children came to bless this union.
Kathleen is survived by her children, Allen John Kangas and wife, Pat, of Grayling, MI, Gertrude Atwell and husband, Orville, of Kingston, MI and Margaret Heard and husband, Dupree, of St. Clair; by eleven grandchildren, Dupree, Daniel, John, Cheryl, Mike, Fred, DceDee, Bill, Sandra, Sara and Tim; by one sister, Gladys Martin of Farmington, NH; by sixteen great¬grandchildren, eighteen great-great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great, great-great and great-great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, William and Syble Furby: by her husband, Johnannes Kangas; by one grandson, Keith; by six brothers, Kenneth, Richard, Robert, Donald. Bruce and Truman Furby; and by two sisters, Norah Arnold and Phyllis Johnston.
Kathleen moved to the United States at the age of seven. She was about forty when she became a naturalized citizen. She was a devoted Catholic and member of St. Clare Catholic Church in St. Clair. During her working years, she was employed as a house keeper. Kathleen was passionate about sewing and a very talented seamstress. She could sew anything, from suits to wedding dresses. She also loved to work in her yard and garden and raised beautiful flowers. Knitting and doing needlepoint were other favorite hobbies and she enjoyed challenging patterns. Kathleen was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and working jigsaw puzzles. Nothing made her happier than spending time with her family and many wonderful memories were created.
A kind, sweet and loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great and great-great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great, great-great and great-great-great-aunt, cousin and friend, she will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral mass was held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 11, 2010 St. Clare Catholic Church in St. Clair with Father Bob Knight officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at Elmwood Cemetery in Grayling, Ml. The Kangas family was served by Russell Colonial Funeral Home, St. Clair, MO and Lashley Funeral Home, Mio.