Brace Kae Case

Brace Kae Case, 88, of Marco Island, Florida passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026, at 12:10 pm at the Avow Hospice Hospital in Naples, Florida surrounded by family.

Brace was born on November 6, 1937, in Cadillac, Michigan to Clyde Case and Louise Grice. He lived on the Case dairy farm on a dirt road in Marion, Michigan where he enjoyed the simple life, with a creek, livestock, and acreage.

After graduating from Marion High School in 1956, he went on to get his Bachelor’s degree at Central Michigan University, class of 1960. It was there that he met the love of his life, Marilyn May Dawson. They were married on June 24, 1961. Marilyn likes to say he bewitched her with the little Shetland ponies at the Case farm.

Brace and Marilyn began their life together in Utica, Michigan, where Brace worked for the IRS and they started our family. We later lived in Fraser for 10 years before settling in Clarkston, Michigan. Mom and Dad lived there for 46 years. After decades of snowbirding on Marco Island, they finally made their home there in 2025.

As one of only two children, Dad always dreamed of having a large family. He and Mom built exactly that, raising us five very rambunctious, independent kids, and later enjoying the blessing of nine grandchildren.

Dad loved learning and encouraged his kids and his grandkids to be curious, to travel, and to pursue higher education. He lived this by example by continuing his own education and obtained his Juris Doctorate law degree from the Detroit College of Law with little kids at home. Later, he became one of Michigan’s first Certified Financial Planners and even taught Financial Planning classes at Oakland University. Over the years, he also earned his Real Estate license.

Brace’s career reflected his ambition and entrepreneurial spirit. He worked as a stockbroker at Manley, Bennet, McDonald & Co. but he wanted the freedom and challenge of building something of his own. Over the years he invested in ventures involving real estate, hotels, and restaurants, and later started a mortgage company. He was a risk taker, an idea man, an optimist. He always talked about writing a book called “1+1=3.” He was always thinking, always imagining what might be possible, and always encouraging his children and grandchildren to pursue big ideas of their own.

Brace loved his hometown of Marion, MI and enjoyed being a clown in their annual summer parade. He also talked fondly of his classmates and cousins and tried to always make it to the Marion high school reunions. He also cherished “the cottage” up in Mecosta, MI. We spent many happy summers growing up there.

Our dad had the faith of a mustard seed—a very small thing indeed. Yet because of that faith, he consistently brought us to church each week, took us to our church reunions, cheered us on in every activity, and he reminded us constantly of how proud he was of us. His faith, like that mustard seed, grew into a beautiful tree that will continue to bear much fruit for generations to come.

Most of all, Brace was a family man and until the very end would tell his kids and grandkids that he was there for them if they needed anything. Brace helped a few of his loved ones out of pickles with his ability to brandish his "wiggle room" theory. Brace taught his family many lessons about not sweating the small stuff and forging their own paths by believing in themselves. Brace would refer to everything and anything as a "riggon" and somehow it made sense. Brace loved playing mentally challenging games and cards with friends and family and was always the life of any group and room he entered. Brace lived big and laughed loud and was a charmer. Brace was fun and witty and always had a story or lesson to tell but also was a great listener and knew how to see through all the noise and show what was ultimately important. Brace was one of a kind and his kids' hero.

Life giving life giving life.

A good life. We will really miss how much he loved us.

Brace is survived by his beloved wife, Marilyn; his children, Janae (Ray) Barriuso, Trevin (Olivera Djekic) Case, Darton (Heather) Case, Ky (Steven) Valente, Rydan (Erin) Case; his grandchildren, Slaton Case, Taylor Anne Barriuso, Dawson Barriuso, Taryn Case, Lake Valente, Delaney Case, Ava Valente, Rydan Case II, and Drea Case. Nephews: Chris (Mary) Cundiff, Marc (Linda) Dawson, Chris (Nicole) Kukulski, Greg (Chris) Dawson, Tim (Vivian) Dawson, Chad (Sara) Wheaton, Matt Wheaton, Kevin (Sabrina) Wheaton; Niece: Viva (Rick) Penny, Shari (Wade) Podvin; Brother-in-laws: Robert (Mary) Dawson, Mike (Laurel) Dawson; Sister-in-law: Debbie (Doug) Wheaton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Louise Case, and his sister, Desmond (Chuck) Cundiff.

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, March 26 at 11:00 am at New Life Community Church, 489 W. Elkcam Circle, Marco Island, FL 34145. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.