Obituary of Kathleen Prater

Kathleen Angelia Janus was born in Detroit on November 13, 1952. She was one of five children born from the union of the late Boleslaw "Bill" Janus and the late Alma "Bunny" (Sparling) Janus. As a young girl the Janus family purchased a farm near Maybee and they would move making their home in Monroe County. Kathleen earned her Associate's Degree and would spend more than twenty-nine years employed by Monroe County Head Start. Her position as a Social Worker afforded her the opportunity to work with numerous children, which she loved, and serve as a preschool teacher. Kathleen married Charles Prater on January 24, 1975 in Monroe. Kathleen was a loving and supportive wife and mother raising the couple's two boys. She was sweet, kind, and surely straight to the point. Kathleen was a talented seamstress and she enjoyed making clothes, costumes, and quilts to name a few. She loved spending time with family cooking at the holidays, and playing board games, bingo, and cards. When she had free time she could be found watching cooking shows and "Property Brothers". She was by far the best NANA ever! Kathleen Angelia Prater age 61 of Monroe, passed away at home on Thursday, October 2, 2014. She had been under the care of Mercy Memorial Hospice. In addition to her beloved parents her passing was preceded by a brother: Daniel Janus and a sister-in-law: Denise. To cherish her memory she leaves her husband of thirty-nine years: Charles Prater of Monroe; two sons: William (Nicole) Janus and Wayne Prater both of Monroe; two sisters: Mary Ann (John) Loop of Monroe and Nancy Lynch of Illinois; one brother: David (Cyndi) Janus of Dundee; five grandchildren: Josh Janus, Nicole Clawson, Paige Jondro, Cody Jondro and Jenna Janus; two great-grandchidren: Willow Janus and Harper Liparoto; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may gather from 5:00pm-8:00pm on Friday, October 3, 2014 and from 11:00am-1:00pm on Saturday October 4, 2014 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Her Life will follow at 1:00pm also at Merkle's with Jacob Loop her nephew officiating. Procession will follow to Roselawn for burial. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or send a floral arrangement by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.