Obituary of Kay Jean Blagec

Kay Jean Powell was born on April 7, 1940 in Milan, Michigan. She was one of eight children born to Rae and Irene (Henning) Powell. Kay graduated from Jonesville High School in Jonesville, Michigan with the Class of 1958. She continued her education at Eastern Michigan University where she studied education.

Kay was blessed with the birth of three daughters. When her children were young, she worked as a bus driver for Dundee Community Schools in Dundee, Michigan. She later became employed as a secretary at the University of Michigan where she worked for many years before retiring. Not one to stay idle, Kay enjoyed only one day of retirement before she began working in the same capacity for the Village of Dundee.

On May 17, 1986, Kay wed the love of her life, Stephen J. Blagec Sr., at their home in Dundee. The couple enjoyed thirty-seven years of marriage. Kay and Stephen often camped together at Pirolli Park in Petersburg, Michigan. Kay had a great appreciation for wildlife and the outdoors. She was always attentive to the butterflies and birds attracted to her yard by her lush flower gardens. Kay also maintained a large vegetable garden and canned her harvest every season. The Monroe Evening News once featured Kay in an article highlighting her canning abilities alongside a photo of her standing next to a table full of dozens of jars of strawberry jam.

Kay enjoyed word search puzzles and scrapbooking, preserving many family memories. Her adventurous spirit led her to travel to Alaska where she enjoyed personal tours from her niece, a park ranger, and her two nephews, who were boat captains at the time. Always open to try new things, Kay had ridden on the back of a motorcycle, gone fishing, and taken a helicopter ride all within the last year. Although her independent spirit could lead her to be stubborn at times, she always had everyone’s best interest at heart. Kay could talk about anything to anyone. She charmed everyone she met and was an especially wonderful wife, mother and grandmother.

Kay Jean Blagec, age 83, of Dundee, Michigan passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday; January 17, 2024. Her passing was preceded by her parents; her husband: Stephen in 2023; her daughter: Kathleen Reynard in 2021; a son in-law: Bryan Reynard; two brothers: John Powell and Scott Powell; and her sister: Linda Paige.

To cherish her memory she leaves her daughters: Ginny (Dave) Smith of Brooklyn, Michigan and Marlene Fogarty of Dundee; her son: Scott (Lana) Blagec of Louisiana; five grandchildren: Christopher Reynard, Erin (Josh) Young, Marijo Fogarty, Sarah Fogarty, and Destiny Yates; seven great grandchildren: Carrac, Luna, Eli, Bliss, Nyxie, Temperance, Winry,; three sisters: Sharon Laughlin, Alma Cross, and Meredith Balcom; a brother: Robert Powell; and many nieces and nephews. 

Friends may gather on Monday; January 22, 2024 from 11:00am until 1:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, Dundee; 297 Tecumseh Street, Dundee, Michigan 48131 (734) 529-3156. A Celebration of Kay’s Life will begin at 1:00pm, also at Merkle’s, followed by procession to Maple Grove Cemetery in Dundee for burial.

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