Obituary of Kathleen Suzanne Stiefel
Kathleen Suzanne Twynham or “Kathi” as she was affectionately known, was born on May 17, 1941, in Port Clinton, Ohio. She was one of five children born to the union of Edward Twynham and Marie (Goodman) Twynham. Kathi attended Port Clinton High School, graduating with the class of 1959 with her high school sweetheart: John Stiefel.
The young couple became inseparable, and they were joined in marriage on December 1, 1962, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Port Clinton, Ohio. Together they were blessed with two sons: Dana and Timothy. To help provide for her family, Kathi was employed by Island Airlines and Standard Products in Port Clinton, Ohio before taking a position as an administrative assistant at La-Z-Boy Chair Company where she spent thirty-eight and a half years retiring in 2004. Kathi and John enjoyed fifty-five years of holy matrimony until his passing on August 26, 2018.
Kathi was a member of St. Anne Parish in Monroe, Michigan, the Monroe County Chapter of Soroptimist International, the Frenchtown Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, volunteered with the United Way, the Highway Aide by Radio Truck (HART) that assisted motorists, and coordinated the La-Z-Boy Junior Golf Outing each year. For many years, Kathi and John enjoyed camping and traveling around the United States, and cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean. They were also snowbirds spending winters in North Fort Myers, Florida at the Raintree RV resort, where Kathi was extremely active.
Kathleen Suzanne “Kathi” Stiefel, passed away on her 83rd birthday, May 17, 2024, at Brookdale Monroe. Her passing was preceded by her parents: Edward and Marie Twynham; her husband: John George Stiefel; a brother: Edward Twynham; and a brother-in-law: James Parker.
To cherish Kathi’s memory, she leaves two sons: Dana (Kathleen) Stiefel of Monroe and Timothy Stiefel of East Greenwich, Rhode Island; two sisters: Rosane Parker and Priscilla (James) Faris; one brother: Douglas (Carol) Twynham; four grandchildren: Corrie Salvador, Keenan Stiefel, Krystin Stiefel (Richard Morgan), Breanna Kuehnlein (Robby); five great grandchildren: Harley Salvador, Amira, Finnley, and Theodore Stiefel, and Aria Kuehnlein.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00pm-3:00pm on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the Monroe Moose Lodge, 1320 North Macomb Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162. Per Kathleen’s wishes, to assist with the Gift of Knowledge, her earthly remains have been bequeathed to the University of Michigan Medical School Anatomical Donation Program. Her care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185.
The family of Mrs. Stiefel would like to express their appreciation to the staff and caregivers of Beacon Hospice and Brookdale Monroe for the excellent and loving care provided to Kathi. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.