Kay Ellen Wohlfeill Obituary

Kay Ellen Wohlfeill, 77, of Alma passed away April 29, 2023, at the University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor. She was born on May 8, 1945, to Charles and Dorothy (Anderson) Wohlfeill. Kay graduated from Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw and received a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her life partner, Larry Lindke, brother Dan Wohlfeill, sister Ruth Ann Wohlfeill and life-time best friends Ralph and Ronda Sorensen.

She is survived by her "niece and nephew" Carrie Sorensen and Josh (Amy) Sorensen, Josh's children Jason and Melanie, Larry's son JJ (Shelton Harris) Lindke, her aunt, Betty Ray and many cousins.

Kay loved northern Michigan and traveled with Larry to the different ports where he sailed in his younger years. She always took the scenic route through the area, frequently stopping to enjoy the beauty of the lakeshore. Kay was also a passionate gardener, creating a beautiful flower garden each summer in her backyard.

Aunt Kay" was a very important part of Josh and Carrie's lives. She couldn't have loved them more if they were her own children, and she spent their childhood acting as a second mother (even when the kids thought one was enough)! Kay was the "fun aunt" who went on field trips, had Friday night sleepovers, accompanied the Sorensen's on vacation and took Josh and Carrie to college football games (even UM, much to her chagrin). The name "Aunt Kay" stuck, and that's how she was known to dozens of Josh and Carrie's friends. Once someone entered Kay's life, there were no ends she wouldn't go to to be there for them.

Kay spent her life helping others personally, and professionally through her work with children in Gratiot County. She worked as a supervisor for Child Protective Services for many years, and volunteered for several other agencies that care for children. After retirement, Kay became a substitute teacher in Alma and in the surrounding area to continue her work with kids. Kay found much joy in the time she spent in the schools and enjoyed bumping into students years later to share stories from school and hear where their lives had taken them.

Kay was on the Board of Directors in the early years of Child Advocacy in Gratiot County. She also spent many years volunteering and teaching classes for the agency. She took great pride in their growth and seeing what the next generation has been able to accomplish for the agency and people in Gratiot County.

Donations can be made to remember Kay's love for children to Child Advocacy of Gratiot County (https://childadvocacy.net).

Keep Kay's legacy alive by donating to a charity in need.