Kathleen "Kate" Elizabeth (Ellis) Reau

Kathleen "Kate" Elizabeth Reau, age 96, of West Olive, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at home. She was born on March 17, 1929, in Toledo, Ohio, to the late George and Gertrude (LaPointe) Ellis. Kate married Donald F. Reau on September 11, 1948, in Erie, Michigan. He preceded her in death on December 19, 2019, after 71 years of marriage.

Kate graduated from Toledo Catholic Central High School in 1946. Don and Kate moved to Grand Haven in 1962, where she worked as a library assistant for G.H.A.P.S. at Stone School and Grand Haven High School Library. Kate was a longtime member of St. Patrick - St. Anthony Catholic Parish.

Kate loved gardening and was a member of the Grand Haven Garden Club. She was also a talented quilter who loved to meet up weekly with her special group of friends from the Grand Haven Lighthouse Quilt Guild, "The Tuesday Morning Quilters." Kate served as a former 4-H leader and also enjoyed sewing, China painting, traveling, and going camping.

Kate will be lovingly remembered and missed by her two daughters, Danielle (Norm) Palmquist of Grand Haven and Michele (David) Kozicki of Ludington; her son, Michael (Mary) Reau of Grand Haven; six grandchildren: Adam (Beth Ann) Kozicki, Joshua Kozicki (significant other, Sarah), Laurie (Tony) Pease, Sara Wasson (significant other, Chris), Carson Reau and Parker Reau; five great-grandchildren: Haleigh, Cameron, Max, Emryee, and Gabe; and great-great-granddaughter, Evelyn.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; and grandson, Micah Kozicki.

A private family Memorial Mass for Kate will take place at St. Patrick Church of St. Patrick - St. Anthony Catholic Parish. Interment will be at Grand Haven Township Historic Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to any charity of donor's choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kathleen "Kate" Elizabeth (Ellis) Reau, please visit our floral store.