Kathleen Mary Romberger, of Clarkston, arrived at home with her Savior on the evening of January 3, 2023, at the age of 69 after a courageous battle with ALS.
Born on March 4, 1953, the daughter of the late Richard and Rita (Staley) Tippen. Beloved wife of Martin Romberger for 45 years, loving mother of Stephen (Vita) Romberger, and Emily (James) Harrill, dearest grandmother of Hannah, Hewitt, Samuel, and Catherine, dear sister of the late Margaret (David Hoffman) Tippen, Maureen (Andrew Kerr) Tippen, and Elizabeth (Stephen) Napier. She was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Kathleen grew up in the Pontiac area and graduated from Pontiac Catholic High School in 1971. She completed nursing school at Hurley Medical Center in Flint and later earned her BSN from Wayne State University in Detroit. She married the love of her life, Martin Steve Romberger on June 18, 1977, on a beautiful summer day.
Kathleen dedicated her professional career in service as a nurse, most notably with the Pontiac Visiting Nurses Association and Saint Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital. She led the Faith Community Nursing Program at Saint Joseph’s for several years prior to her retirement in 2014 and had a presence at nearly every church in the Pontiac-Waterford area. Throughout her career, she touched an immeasurable number of lives in the community with her kindness.
Kathleen was a dedicated sports fan – of her children’s sports. She and Marty split duties watching Steve and Emily’s games throughout the school year, across the state of Michigan, and between the pair they never missed a game.
Kathleen earned a Master Gardener certification from Michigan State University and her numerous flower, herb and vegetable gardens were her happy place. Kathleen also enjoyed many other activities; baking, cooking, quilting, sewing, walking the country backroads, and playing her dulcimer. Her children and grandbabies enjoy snuggling up in the many warm quilts she made for them over the years. Kathleen achieved ultimate fame via her chocolate chip cookies and annual Saint Patrick’s Day corned beef dinners.
Although Kathleen had many interests, her primary focus was sharing the gospel. This was evident in everything she did and every interaction with those she met. Kathleen viewed every vacation, event, grocery store visit, or trip out of the house as an opportunity to share her faith in Christ. Serving as a Sunday School teacher at her church was a passion and she received joy that one of her former students is now preaching the gospel. Kathleen was a dedicated prayer warrior that could always be counted on.
She will be dearly missed and will be remembered for her caring nature, willingness to listen, compassion, and warm love of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
A homecoming celebration will be held for Kathleen on Saturday, January 14 at 11 a.m. at Springview Community Church, 12881 Andersonville Rd, Davisburg, with visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Memorial donations can be made in support of missions in Kathleen’s name: Send the Light Outreach, c/o Kathleen Romberger, 8075 Old US 23, Fenton, MI 48340.