Catherine Lee "Kay" (Tewkesbury) Claes

   Catherine Lee “Kay” Claes 87 of Harbor Springs, MI died September 28, 2016 at The Villa at the Bay in Petoskey, MI.

   Kay was born May 11, 1929 in Flint, MI. to Henry Franklin and Adah Mae (Lee) Tewkesbury. She grew up in Detroit where she attended school, graduating from Southeastern High School. On July 15, 1948 she married Richard Arthur Claes in Detroit. Throughout her childhood and young adulthood Kay was a member of Turners, a gymnastic club where she participated in ballet, gymnastics and excelled in swimming. Kay was a homemaker early in her marriage and returned to work outside the home in 1970. She was employed by the Detroit Police Dept. where she worked as a fingerprint expert until her retirement. Kay and Dick moved to Harbor Springs in 1990 and spent many happy years here before Dick’s death in July 2016.

   Kay was a member of the Michigan-Ontario Identification Association and Detroit Retired City Employees Association. Her hobbies included bowling, golf, needlework, knitting and crocheting. She made many beautiful afghans for family and friends. Kay and Dick were a major influence in the lives of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

   Kay is survived by her children Daniel Claes, Andrea (Richard) Becker, Jocelyn (Charles) Lapo, Matthew Claes, Adam (Wanda) Claes, Jason (Patricia) Claes, daughters in law Carmen Claes, Cynthia Claes, sisters Marjorie Wilner and Betty Taylor, grandchildren Esther (Robert) Brill, Edwin Claes, Christopher Claes, Jenna (Jesse) Claes, Ian (Ashley) Claes, Brett Becker, Brian Becker, Brady Becker and great grandchildren Sage Sorenson, Caleb Claes, Hailey Claes, Eden Becker, Terra Claes, Hayden Claes, Soren Claes, Evan Claes and Julien Claes.

   Kay was preceded by her husband Richard A. Claes Sr., sons Bradley Claes and Richard Claes, daughter Catherine Claes and sister Winnifred Ethier.

   Family services were held at Schiller Funeral Home of Harbor Springs. Interment will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Harbor Springs. Online messages of condolence may be made at stonefuneralhomeinc.com.

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