Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
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Katie Maltby

January 5, 1934 - July 8, 2021
Kalamazoo, MI

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Visitation

Thursday, July 15, 2021
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
St. Thomas More Parish
421 Monroe St
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
(269) 381-8917
Map
Web Site

Mass of Christian Burial

Thursday, July 15, 2021
11:00 AM EDT
Live Stream
St. Thomas More Parish
421 Monroe St
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
(269) 381-8917
Map
Web Site

Life Story Reception

Thursday, July 15, 2021
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM EDT
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900

Please join us after mass at a Life Story Reception where food, drinks, and stories will be shared.

Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes
901 Portage St
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 343-3663
Web Site

St. Thomas More Parish
421 Monroe St
Kalamazoo, MI 49006
(269) 381-8917
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Katie Maltby lived her life to the fullest and with no regrets. A loving wife, supportive mother, devoted grandmother and great-grandmother, she modeled being genuine and kind to everyone she met. Katie held many special gifts and talents, yet her greatest source of pride and joy came from spending time with her precious family. She enjoyed their company, giving them her undivided attention whenever they came to visit. The wonderful memories she leaves behind will forever be etched on the hearts of her many special friends and loved ones.

Kathlyne, the baby of the family with three older siblings, arrived January 5, 1934 to her loving parents, Carl and Dora (Schieferecke) Reuter, on the brink of what would later be recognized as the turning point in the Great Depression in America. As unemployment rates began to decline, her parents moved from Nebraska to Hudson, Michigan where her father started an automobile dealership.

Growing up, Katie lived a typical childhood of the times with one exception, her love for adventure and nature. Surprisingly, she was allowed to raise a pet raccoon that even lived in the house, giving her an up close and personal experience with nature! Katie loved to be outdoors and never shied away from trying new things. As a teen, she enjoyed traveling with her dad to the city of Detroit to bring new cars back to his lot. As a result, she learned how to drive a manual transmission at the early age of fourteen. She also enjoyed finding her fair share of mischief, even hopping trains for fun! Active and always on the go, she and her dad loved to waterski at their family cottage on Devil’s Lake. Many special memories were made during those years. Later, she attended a boarding school in Adrian which prepared her well for her time at Western State Normal School, now Western Michigan University, for her bachelor’s degree in physical education. Katie taught at several schools, primarily at St. Augustine Elementary, before later working at the Kennedy Center for Special Education.

Not to be forgotten was the meeting of Charles Maltby, the man who would steal her heart forever. She was attending college at the time and working the soda fountain at Oakland Pharmacy. Katie reflected fondly on Chuck’s Dodge and white buck shoes during their first meeting. Sharing many common interests, the two of them joined in marriage on June 25, 1955. Together they raised four children: Van, Patrick, and twins Teresa and Sarah. Many summers were spent camping all over Michigan. As soon as school was out for the summer, the family would pack up the camper and hit the road. Wilderness State Park, one of Katie’s favorite spots, provided a beautiful setting in northern Michigan with a view of the Mackinac Bridge. They also spent a lot of their winters cross country skiing together as a family. The children and friends were fond of their mom’s excellent cooking and treasured her special homemade treats, known as Katie Bread and Katie Rolls. Talented with her Viking sewing machine, she also made clothes for the kids and knit mittens over the years. An exceptional mother (don’t mess with Mama Bear), she instilled in her children the love for adventure.

As their children became adults, Katie and Chuck continued to pursue their many special interests. They both enjoyed hiking and pushed the limits as they explored new trails together. They were blessed to spend a month in Yellowstone yearly, fly fishing and hiking the many boardwalks and endless trails leading to natural wildlife and active geysers. They also savored their time visiting many of the southwestern states and fell in love with Sedona, Arizona. Katie was a fearless adventurer who welcomed critters and spiders and didn’t mind getting a little dirty on the trails. She often hiked to cliff dwellings and slots that most others wouldn’t dare attempt, utilizing climbing gear and ropes. Once, a helicopter flew overhead showing tourists a place few hikers ever reached. Sitting there in the cliff dwelling were Katie and Chuck, waving and enjoying lunch! Even after Chuck died, Katie never lost her thirst for travel and adventure. She made a few memorable trips overseas with her sister and nephews, as well as traveling to the east coast with some of her kids.

Once retired, she worked at the local Eddie Bauer store to earn her extra spending money for her travels as well as satisfying her joy in helping others. She always kept a beautiful yard and was often found outdoors chatting with her many neighbors who became close friends. Katie never passed up any opportunity to experience something new and loved to attend many of her grandkids’ special events. Her generous heart led to twenty-five years volunteering at The Blue Dolphin for their annual Christmas dinner. She loved to help those who were struggling as well as listening to other people's personal stories. Kind and selfless, Katie was an active member at St. Thomas More Parish and enjoyed helping with the Sunday student dinners and Bible Study Fellowship. Blessed with an abundant family who will dearly miss her, Katie leaves behind a wonderful example of serving others. Her sense of adventure, her love of nature, and her love for family, will be her greatest legacies. May her family be comforted in knowing that Katie loved each and every one of them and find great joy in their hearts of memories shared.

Kathlyne Maltby, age 87, died peacefully on July 8, 2021. Katie was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck; and two brothers: Bernard Reuter and Henry Reuter. Surviving are her children: Van (Joan) Maltby, Patrick (Deborah) Maltby, Teresa (Bruce) Weiderman, and Sarah (Jeff) Pfost; ten grandchildren: John (Elise) Maltby, Carolyn Maltby, Lizzy (Taylor) Fowler Maltby, Chris (Lindsey) Maltby, Bryan (Cheryl) Maltby, Laura (Nic) Carter, Brian (Sara) Weiderman, Betsy Weiderman, Mande (Ben) Tucker, and Cody Pfost; eleven great-grandchildren: Braden, Carter, Mason, Tanner, Colton, Easton, Stella, Evie, Sawyer, Eden, and Willa; sister: Dorothy Miorin; and many treasured nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, July 15th at 11 AM at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish, 421 Monroe St., Kalamazoo with visitation one-hour prior. A Life Story Reception will follow at Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo 269-375-2900 where food, drinks, and stories will be shared. Burial at Alamo Center Cemetery. Visit Katie’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign her guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas More Parish or Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes.

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