Kate Schwan (Kathleen Jo Schwan), 71, of Grand Rapids Ohio passed away peacefully on July 14, 2024 at their riverhouse. She was born to the late John E. Schwan Jr. and surviving Stella C. (Sliwinski) Schwan.
She found respite and extraordinary peace in living on a hillside overlooking the Maumee River. The deer played on the shoreline, turtles sunbathed, egret, osprey and blue heron were often in flight. Eagles fished and courted in the shallow playground of Otsego rapids.
Her son, Erik, canoed before he bicycled, and practiced the art of drawing with them. His gentle kindness indicated the man he would become while his father hand built their 3 story riverhouse with a panoramic view of Nazareth Hall and Ladyglen Riverfront.
Erik started kindergarten in time for Kate to work for Noble causes: the Chemical Dependency Center (alcohol and drug rehab) at Flower Hospital 1981-1991; the Rehab Center of Flower 1990-2000; Toledo Children’s Hospital 2000-2020. Part time with Wood County Council on Alcoholism partnering with the Deputy Sheriff’s Department in their DUI program at Nazareth Hall. In between as a substitute teacher.
At Toledo Children’s Hospital she managed the Department for Psycho-Social Needs of hospitalized children as a Child Life Specialist. She was ambassador of patient and family centered care. A member of The Family Advisory Council For Positive Change and runner-up for the Albert E. Dyckes Healthcare Worker of the Year Award through the OHA at the Toledo Children’s Hospital. Flower Hospital’s first Employee of the Year Award in 1994.
Kate authored a children’s book to teach coping skills for hospitalized children, ‘KEEP A LITTLE COURAGE IN YOUR POCKET!’ She credited Sister Mary Genevieve RSM and Sister Paula RSM for igniting the passions of visual art and poetry as a student at McAuley Catholic Girls School where she learned to tap into an inward light.
She attended the University of Toledo, upon graduation then earned a Masters in Rehab Counseling with state certification at BGSU.
Kate married Mark Langenderfer in 1996, increasing her quality of life a hundredfold, by sharing his parents Cliff and Nelda, his friendships, his farm life and love of travel. Adventuring the U.S. and European Celtic countries, France, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Ireland and Poland.
Kate is survived by her 93 yr old mother, Stella Schwan, her brother John (Nadine Garzone), sisters Anita (Scott Eldridge) and Cindy (Keith Carpenter). In-laws Mike, Ann, Kay, Lance. Jeanette Thornton (Dad’s sister), Millie Sliwinski (mom’s side), nieces, nephews, cousins and great nephew, Anthony Contreras. Preceded in death by her former husband, Michael A. Miller. Her father John E. Schwan Jr in 2020. Her in-laws Cliff and Nelda Langenderfer.
Kate and Mark have a chicken coop in the side yard, providing them with fresh eggs. She would call “chicker chicher” and they’d come running to her- they would eat out of her hand. If they would get into her flowers she would get out her leaf blower and they would high tail it!
“A farewell kiss to my loving husband, Mark, my precious son Erik and my supportive brother John (except when he threw the brick on my head, I was 7, he was 8).
Bless my dear friends who have supported me angelically: Mary Hoffman, Julie Calmes, Kris Raleigh, Debbie Leffler, Nancy Simon (who introduced Mark and I), cousin Julianne Sliwinski, and so many others who cared deeply and offered prayers.
All my love to Practicum and Child Life Interns and an embrace to Toledo Children’s Hospital’s pediatric volunteers!!!”
A celebration of life will be held at Otsego Park Shelter House October 17, 2024- so family and friends can participate with flight schedules. Arrangements are being handled by Hanneman Family Funeral Homes.
