KATHRYN A. "KATHY" VRANCKS, age 68, of Portage, passed away Tuesday, June 26, 2012. Kathy was born on April 2, 1944 in Mishawaka, IN to Elmer and Norma Nickel. She married Gerald Vrancks on August 22, 1959 and they spent 50 years together until the time of his passing. Kathy will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and daughter.

She is survived by her mother, Norma Deardorff (nee Weisweaver) of Mishawaka, IN; 2 sons, Michael Vrancks of Lake Station and Gerry (Linda) Vrancks of Valparaiso; 1daughter, Susan (Larry) Hakes; 9 grandchildren, Hope Buchanan, Courtney (Kevin) Braun, Rachael Browning, Christina (Dominic) Padlo, James (Deanna) Vrancks-Schwei, Ashley Vrancks, Michael Vrancks, Danielle and Austin Hakes; 12 great grandchildren; 2 brothers, Charles (Maryjo) Nickel of Mishawaka and Robert (Kelly) Nickel of Cassopolis, MI; 1 sister, Martha (Dennis) Delio of Osceola, IN; sister-in-law, Sandy (Spencer) Tirrell of South Bend; brother-in-law, William Tobloski of Osceola, IN; other loving family and dear friends.

Kathy was preceded in death by her father, Elmer C. Nickel and stepfather, Carl Deardorff.
Donations in Kathy's memory may be made to the VNA Hospice of Valparaiso.

A funeral service for Kathy will be Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Ave., Portage with Chaplain Craig Forwalter officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be just prior to the service from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, (219) 762-3013.