Kathy Kay Kowalski

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Kathy Kowalski, age 67, at her home in Holland, Ohio. Born on October 6, 1957, at Toledo Hospital, Kathy was the daughter of the late Bill (Lewis), who passed away in 2023, and Ola Shiflett, who survives. 

Kathy attended Springfield Schools in Holland, Ohio, and was a member of Bethel Assembly of God in Perrysburg, where she occasionally helped in the nursery when her cousin needed additional childcare. She began her career at General Motors in 1985, working there for 24 years before retiring in 2009. Throughout her life, Kathy remained passionate about caring for her family, playing cards and games, enjoying outings to restaurants, shopping trips—often with her mother—and spending quality time at home watching her beloved soap operas and westerns with her husband.

On June 28, 2001, Kathy married Mike (Michael) Kowalski, with whom she shared 24 years of marriage. She is also survived by her daughter, Suzy (Suzanne) Face (Lee) (husband Dustin); her stepson, Jake Kowalski (wife Chelsea) and their children, Austin and Hayleigh; and her stepdaughter, Christina (husband Chris Knight) and their daughters, Cryslyn and Crystabelle, as well as the late Chris Knight, Jr. Kathy was a devoted grandmother to Kyleigh Lee and Brandon Shoffer. She adored her Maltese dogs, Billy and Henry, and fondly remembered her late small black poodle, Rocco.

Kathy cherished her extended family, including her late Uncle Harley Shiflett and first cousins Debbie Carter (Shiflett), Harla Case (Shiflett), and Mike Shiflett. She also held close bonds with the children of her late Aunt Loretta: Kerri John (Lenny), Rick Surgeson, and Danny Lenard.

Funeral Services for Kathy will take place on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Walter Funeral Home, 4653 Glendale Ave., Toledo, Ohio 43614, with Pastor Paul Rea officiating. Visitation for family will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., followed by visitation for friends and the public from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A service in Kathy’s memory will begin at 1:00 p.m. Following her wishes, Kathy will be cremated, and no cemetery interment is planned.

Kathy’s kindness, devotion to family, and love of simple pleasures will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.