Susanna C Kabat

Susanna Catherine Kabat, 93, of Leelanau County passed away January 6, 2015. Susanna was born September 19, 1921 to Bonislaus “Barney” and Frances (Sharnowski) Rice of Cedar. She married Edmund Kabat on September 21, 1946 at Holy Rosary Church in Isadore.

Growing up on farms, always active, she lived with her maternal Grandma for many years, helping out with the daily cooking and weekly chores. As a teen and into her twenties, she worked as a nanny for families in Traverse City, Detroit, Milwaukee, and California. At the beginning of her second year of marriage, she was diagnosed with polio. She spent 14 months at Herman Kiefer Hospital in Detroit (2 ½ months in an iron lung). A set back, but polio didn’t slow her down much. She, along with her husband, Edmund, built their house, worked their cherry/plum farm…all the while holding a full time job. Susanna was employed 10 years with Cherry Growers and 30 years with Burke Flexo Lures. While working at Burkes, she received awards for crafting ways to improve production.

Susanna was a gifted cook. She could make anything taste amazing, even if it was wild and trapped. Known for her incredible potato salad, fried fish and chicken, she enjoyed feeding whoever walked through the door. Susanna also took delight in passing on her many home health remedies that usually seemed ridiculous, but when followed, were indeed beneficial. I guess her longevity of 66 fruitful years, with the scars of polio, bears the proof.

A dedicated, determined, hard-worker, she embraced life with a vengeance. Her counsel, “When you do something, do it right the first time, so no one has to go behind you and correct it”.

Susanna is survived by her daughter, Linda (Duwayne) Brzezinski; grandchildren, Joseph and JenniLin (Scott) Reece; great grandchildren, Tiarah, Essence, and Rilley; and a newborn great great Grandson Carder (whom she had seen a few hours before she passed); siblings: Frank Rice and Barbara (Rocky) Flores and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Susanna was preceded in death by her infant brother, John; brother, Raymond; two sisters, Rita (Ed) Darga and Clara (Ted) Kabot.

A memorial mass will be held Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 11 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Traverse City with visitation one hour prior.

In lieu of flowers, please consider one of these nonprofit organizations: The Immaculate Conception Food Pantry, 720 Second St., Traverse City MI 49684 or Area Agency on Aging, P.O. Box 5946, Traverse City MI 49696.

Sincere appreciation to Covell Funeral Home of Traverse City and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for their services.