Kay Ellen Kohler

Kay Ellen Kohler, who was cherished by so many family and friends, died Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg. She was only 54 years old. She was born on Dec. 4, 1957, in Fremont, one of nine children to Mary Ellen (Nieset) and James Kohler. Kay was known for many things - being the #1 Detroit Tigers fan, an ardent and devoted fan of The Bee Gees, and an avid mushroom hunter -but she was best known for her love and devotion to her large family, and was affectionately known as Aunt KK to her many nieces and nephews. Her love for the arts led to a lifelong career in advertising, which in turn, led to a lifelong passion for working with people. On any given day, Kay could be found crafting a homemade card for a family member, making her much-sought-after egg rolls or Chex mix for those around her to enjoy, or spending time with close friends at the Fremont Yacht Club, cheering on her Tigers or cherished Ohio State Buckeyes. But mostly, you could find Aunt KK spending time with her 17 nieces and nephews, whether it be baby-sitting, cheering them on in their many school-related endeavors, or taking them to a baseball or football game. Those who knew her, loved and admired her for her loyalty, organization skills, and ability to have a fun time, no matter where she was. Kay was a 1976 graduate of Gibsonburg High School and attended the Columbus College of Art & Design. She was an advertising and sales executive for The News-Messenger in Fremont in the 1980s and early 1990s, before taking over as Sales Manager of Ye Olde Fishwrapper, a Gannett boating publication, for more than a decade. She later worked in advertising and sales for Yellow Book, covering a vast region stretching across northwest Ohio. Kay is survived by her parents, Mary Ellen and Jim; sister Sally (Tim) Hodson; brothers, Jim, Jr. (Margaret), Matthew (Angie), Steven, Andrew (Beth), Paul (Mindy), David (Cyndi) and Brian (Stacy); nine nieces; eight nephews; five great-nephews; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends too numerous to count. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, John and Ellen Nieset, Earl Kohler and Ellen and Roy Davies; and by a nephew, Patrick. Visitation will be held at the Herman-Kinn-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 319 W. Madison Street, Gibsonburg on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012, from 2-8 p.m. A Mass of Resurrection will be held at the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Gibsonburg on Thursday, 10:30 a.m. Rev. Ted Miller will officiate. Burial will be at St. Lawrence Cemetery, Gibsonburg. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Michael's Church Youth Organization or to the Gibsonburg Athletic Boosters.