Kathleen M. Brunke, age 79, passed away Saturday, January 22, 2022, at North Woods Village, Mishawaka, IN. Kathy was born on February 28, 1942 in Chicago, to the late John and Eleanor (Jendraszewski) Matczynski.

On October 9, 1965, Kathy married Ernest Brunke, and had three children. Ernest preceded her in death on February 22, 2003. Kathy worked for Bell & Howell for 30 years, and finished her career at Axiom Corporation in Chicago as an IT professional. Kathy was dedicated to volunteering her time at St. Stanislaus Kostka and Resurrection Hospital. She lived in Chicago until she moved to Mishawaka, IN, in 2020.

Kathy is survived by her son, Michael (Liz) Brunke of Park Ridge, IL; her daughter, Michelle (Dan) Hogan of Granger, IN; her four grandchildren, Zachary, Nicholas, Aidan, and Justine Hogan; and her brother, Warren (Gail) Mathews of Tampa, FL. Kathleen was preceded in death by her daughter, Nicole Brunke, and her brother, Howard Matczynski.

Kathy, as she was known by most, cherished spending time with her family and friends, and enjoyed hosting many gatherings. She was an excellent cook and baker, and no one ever left her house hungry. Kathy loved being a grandma, and enjoyed all the time she spent with her grandkids.

Kathy had an adventurous spirit. She would not hesitate to load six or seven kids into her station wagon with the family dog, hook up a trailer and go camping with the kids for a week. She loved to travel, besides seeing much of the United States with Ernie, she traveled abroad later in life and visited countless countries. Some of the highlights from her trips were touring the Egyptian Pyramids, walking on the Great Wall of China on her 66th birthday, visiting St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, and hiking Machu Picchu in Peru.

Kathy loved spending her free time taking walks with her many dogs, and talking with neighbors along the way. Many days you could find her tending the garden around her house, and her flowers always looked beautiful. Kathy was an avid reader, and was always willing to pass along her latest book to a friend. Being a devout Catholic, Kathy never missed Sunday mass. She gave of herself without question, volunteering for over 20 years. Kathy's dedication to hard work, also her resilience and strength gave us a shining example as to how to live life. Kathy touched so many lives; she will be missed by many.

On Saturday, February 5, 2022, there will be a visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m.  Mass  will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at Immaculate Conception Church, 7211 W. Talcott Ave, Chicago, IL. The family respectfully requests that masks are worn throughout the service. Interment private.

We would like to thank North Woods Village and Elara Caring for their kindness and extensive care of Kathy.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Kathleen Brunke may be made to A lzheimer's Association Illinois Chapter , 8430 W Bryn Mawr Ave #800, Chicago, IL 60631.