Katherine (Klein) Lake

Katherine Lake (nee Klein), 81, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025. Although of German descent, Kathy was born on November 13, 1943 in Vucevci, Yugoslavia, to Barbara & John Klein. When she was a child, "Katarina" and her family set sail on the SS Ernie Pyle, immigrating to the United States where they settled in Akron. She turned 5 years old on the ship and a fellow passenger gave her a Hershey bar to celebrate, setting off a lifelong love of chocolate and all things sweet. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1961. As a young woman and throughout her life, she loved spending time with friends and dancing at the German-American club. After high school she worked for Wilsterman Bookkeeping as an accounting assistant. In 1967, she married John Lake and had 4 children: Johnny, Paul, David and Amanda. She later worked for Akron Hardware until retirement.

Kathy loved her work and took pride in doing the best job she could, but her true love was her family... and friends... and well, everyone she ever met. The joy of her life was spending time with family. Her mother Barbara often said "The party doesn't start until Katherine gets here." Her face would light up when she saw her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She made friends everywhere she went. Everyone loved Kathy Lake. Being a mother came naturally to Kathy and she was always there for anyone who needed love and support. She always made sure everyone else was taken care of before thinking of herself, living her life in the service of others.

She was a member of the PTA, volunteered to chaperone school field trips, volunteered in the school library at St. John the Baptist, and was always driving kids to and from sporting events.

Kathy was an incredibly strong person, evident in the way she quietly fought health issues for many years without a complaint. She had a kidney transplant in 2001 thanks to an organ donation from her longtime friend, neighbor, and "kidney sister" Patti Longville. We are forever grateful for Patti's gift of life. She allowed us to have Kathy in our lives for another 24 years.

If you asked her, she would say her faith was the source of her strength. As a Roman Catholic, she truly walked the walk. She was a parishioner at Queen of Heaven Church in Green, OH.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents Barbara and John Klein; her husband John Lake; her son David Lake; siblings Annette Brady and Adam Klein; aunt Caroline Heckel; mother and father-in-law Johnny and Leona Lake; brother and sister-in-law Bob and Naoma Lake; dear friends Patricia Oriti and Pauline Overly. She is survived by her children Johnny (Barbara), Paul, and Amanda (Nick); grandchildren Tyler (Katelyn), Andrew, Morgan, Landen, Haylee and Dawson; great-grandchildren Hazely, Grahm, and Kolson; siblings Madeline (John, deceased), Paul (Peggie), and John (Susan); sister-in-law LaRue Klein. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and especially lifelong friends, Geri, Mitzi, and Liz.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 5th, from 4-7pm at Anthony Funeral Home - Green Chapel, 4178 Massillon Rd., Uniontown, OH 44685. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 6th, at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 1800 Steese Rd., Uniontown, OH 44685. Mass at 11am, pre-mass visitation at 10am.

In lieu of flowers Katherine requested donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.