WASHINGTON, Mo. -- Kathy I. Kormeier Bertrand, 66, of Washington passed away Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, at her home.
Kathy was born Jan. 27, 1951, in Washington to the late Alfred and Mildred Althage Kormeier. She was baptized and confirmed at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Port Hudson, Missouri, and later married Steve Bertrand there on Oct. 26, 1974.
Kathy had a passion for teaching and kids, and enjoyed all the teenagers she met through her 34-year career teaching English, speech and drama at Union High School. While teaching in Union, she developed a close fellowship with the faith community at Zion United Church of Christ, where she was currently a member.
She loved her nieces and nephews as if they were hers and Steve's own children, always there ready to listen, help, visit and cheer them on.
Over the years, Kathy and Steve created so many special memories of experiencing the rich history of Europe, the beauty of New England, traveling along the Pacific Coast Highway, and spending their 40th anniversary with many family members on the beach in South Carolina.
Recently, Kathy's illness kept her at home more often, but Steve was always there, helping to keep her as comfortable as possible, and her dog, Millie, rarely left her side.
Kathy is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Steve Bertrand; three siblings, Irma Pelster of Washington, Elsie Nice of Overland Park, Kansas, and Janette Bauche and husband Warren of New Haven, Missouri; her mother-in-law, Martha Bertrand of Cape Girardeau; six siblings-in-law, Babs Kormeier of New Haven, Dennis Bertrand and wife Chris of Atoka, Tennessee, Chuck Bertrand and wife Evelyn of Cape Girardeau, David Bertrand and wife Kathy of Cape Girardeau, Tom Bertrand and wife Cindy of Cape Girardeau and Jaynee Juneau and husband Ray of Cape Girardeau; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; other relatives; and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, James Kormeier; her father-in-law, Frank C. Bertrand; two brothers-in-law, Howard Pelster and Gene Nice; and one great-nephew, Staff Sgt. Sam Devoy, U.S. Army.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at Miller Funeral Home, 1206 Jefferson St. in Washington.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Port Hudson. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorial donations are appreciated to the Arthritis Foundation or a charity of one's choice.
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