Kathleen Mary Hageman
Born July 22, 1949
Death May 12, 2018

My daughter Kathleen and her twin brother were born July 22, 1949; they were premature and only weighed about three pounds each. My doctor had warned me that I either was carrying twins or a large baby (she said, "Pray for twins"). Little did we realize what the coming years would bring us. To begin with, the boy twin only lived four days. Kathleen thrived (in an incubator) and when she reached a "safe" weight, we were allowed to bring her home. She thrived and grew among her growing family of four sisters and two brothers. However, because she was premature, mentally she did not develop as her brothers and sisters did. When it was time for her to attend school, the school told us (reluctantly) that they could not handle her. She was slow and had seizures, but she was willing to learn. What do you do with a child who couldn't attend school? The answer is "the best you can!"
So, Kathleen stayed home with her mom and dad and her horde of brothers and sisters. When she was in her late twenties, I heard about a place called McKercher Workshop that served children like Kathleen. They had work for their attendees (and got paid for it). Kathleen loved it! She was like her brothers and sisters! Eventually we built a large home in the country (Prairie Ronde) with a bedroom and bath away from the other bedrooms. (She liked to play her records late at night). Then we started to hear about rooms that McKercher (Residential Opportunities Inc) had for their workers if they wanted to live away from home. Did she ever!
Needless to say, we were not able to resist Kathleen's pleadings, so eventually we gave in. She was in seventh heaven. We missed her, but about once a month she would come home for the weekend (a working girl, you know) and for holidays. Eventually, we bought a house in the village of Schoolcraft. My husband built a special bedroom and bath on the first floor for her. She loved cats, so we papered the walls with cat figurines, hung curtains with cat figurines, and bought a white bedroom set with four posters.
My husband and I never traveled until he retired but Kathleen traveled -- did she ever! I've lost count of the number of cruises she took -- the last was a year ago -- chaperoned, of course.
On May 12, 2018, Kathleen left this life peacefully at Rose Arbor hospice after about ten days. It was wonderful the number of people that came to see her off. Thank you, thank you God for loaning us Kathleen. She will be buried with her twin brother - Together Again.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her father Edwin, brother John and brother-in-law Chris Renberg. She is survived by her mother Patricia, siblings Colleen (George) Schwartz, Susan (Roger) Smith, Jill (Matthew) Anderson, Edwin (Kim) Hageman, Nell Renberg, Cyril (Teri) Hageman, Susan Kay (Jim) Ryan and numerous nieces and nephews. A special acknowledgement to all of Kathleen's friends at the group living home, whom she fondly referred to as her "cousins".
A funeral service will be held to celebrate Kathleen's life 11:00am Saturday, May 19, 2018 at St. Martins of Tours in Vicksburg MI, with a luncheon following. Memorial donations may be made in Kathleen's memory to Residential Opportunities Inc, where Kathleen was allowed to live as independently as possible for over 30 years or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan who made her last days comfortable and peaceful.

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