Kathy Ann Wildfong

Kathleen "Kathy" Wildfong, 63, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2026, surrounded by her children.

Kathy spent the last 12 years courageously battling the effects of a stroke she suffered on February 23, 2014. Through every challenge, she remained a fighter with a determined spirit and a remarkable ability to connect with those around her.

Before her stroke, Kathy was an avid conversationalist who could strike up a conversation with anyone and make them feel at ease. Later in life, although her words became limited, the few she spoke carried great meaning. She continued to find ways to connect with family, friends, caregivers, and new acquaintances, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met.

Kathy retired from the City of Grand Rapids in 2016. During her career, she worked in several departments, including the Police Department and the Street Lighting and Water Departments. She took great pride in her work and the relationships she built throughout her years of service.

A proud and enthusiastic sports mom, Kathy could often be found cheering from the sidelines. She shared a friendly sports rivalry with her dear friend, Tracey, and was equally proud to support her children in band, choir and dance activities. Kathy also gave back to her community as a coach and umpire for Pinery Park Little League for several years.

Kathy was an accomplished bowler, achieving a personal best score of over 230 and a gifted trumpet player, she was a proud member of the Coachmen Drum & Bugle Corps, where she shared her love of music and performance.

Since 2022, Kathy had been a resident of The Oaks at Belmont. There, she formed many meaningful friendships and enjoyed participating in outings and activities. One of her favorite adventures was traveling to watch the Detroit Tigers.

The staff at The Oaks became like family to Kathy, and her family is deeply grateful for the exceptional care, compassion, and kindness shown by every department. Whether it was learning her favorite foods, rearranging furniture to make her more comfortable, or discovering that a spoonful of chocolate pudding was the perfect way to help the medicine go down, every act of care made a difference. The love and dedication shown to Kathy will never be forgotten.

Kathy is survived by her sons, Aaron (Katie) McLaughlin and Jeremy Wildfong; her daughter, Deanna Wildfong; and Russell Wildfong; her sisters, Lisa (Christopher) Boyd and Marsha (Doug) Harig; her stepmother, Mary McLaughlin; her grandchildren, Elsa and Andrew McLaughlin; her nieces, Karyna Boyd and Samantha Harig; her nephew, Alec Boyd; and her great-niece, Clementine Harig.

Visitation will held at Grand Rapids Cremation on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 3pm-5pm. 4350 Plainfield Ave NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525. 

Services will be held at GR Church on Saturday, July 18th, 2026. With a visitation 10am-11am and Memorial Service 11:30am. 4525 Stauffer Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508.