Jane Marie Katter

Our mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was given 6 months to live …five years ago! What Satan meant for evil God used for His good. This extension of her life was valuable in many, many ways. But the most important way is what Jesus refers to in John 3:3, when Jesus tells Nicodemus, even though Nicodemus was a good man, “He must be born again. “

Our mom answered God’s invitation during this time, confessed her sins; and accepted His free gift of salvation through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ and then began the journey to make Him Lord of her life!

Jane (Vicenza) Maria Damore was born on April 12, 1933 to William and Rose Damore of Saginaw, Mi. She was number eight out of nine children. She had four brothers Bill, Domenic, Joe and Mike. Out of her four sisters, Pearl Perkins, Maria Grillo, and Ange DeFrancisco, Vita Ruppel, her youngest sister and best friend, is the only remaining sibling with us.

Jane married Henry Kenneth Katter on October 16th, 1954. He preceded her in death, just a month ago. They were married 70 years! They lived in New Mexico, St Louis Mo., Bridgeport Mi, West Palm Beach and Leroy Mi. They traveled to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Germany and around the USA. Jane was always up for an adventure because she loved meeting people and seeing the world.

When asked what her greatest accomplishment was in her life. She said, “raising four kids who love the Lord.” We have been blessed to have had such wise, kind and thoughtful parents. We, Webb and Grace Katter, Brenda and Terry Grabow, Sandia and John Kane, and Ken and Patti Katter of Lakewood Ranch, FL. will be forever grateful to God for such a loving, energetic, and common-sense mother. She and dad always made the time to visit each of their kids, and to give us weekends off while they hung out with their grand kids. Our family life was always better when they visited. They always encouraged us and acknowledged that parenting is a tough job, but so rewarding.

Mom was the kind of grandma that knew all her 18 grandkids and her most of her 28 great grandkids. She loved them and didn’t hesitant to show it. Her grandkids and great grands were a deep source of joy for our mom and inspiration for shopping trips! She could walk out of a store with bags of items for her family and after turning in all her coupons the store ended up owing our mom money! She loved to shop with her granddaughters and they loved it too. But she also enjoyed sports and playing card games with her grandsons and granddaughters and great grands. She was always ready to play pin pong with them, golf in the front yard or a little catch! And did she ever enjoy playing cards! Pay Me and Euchre were her favorites. She also loved the challenge of working difficult puzzles – everyone was welcome to connect a piece. She was a great example of kindness and thoughtful to those around you and how to be content with what one has. She exemplified service to others because she knew that giving brings joy to our hearts and purpose in life. Thank you all for loving grandma so well.

And yes, she could be a fiery Italian sometimes, especially in her younger years! But God rounded her edges through the years and helped her learn to use her “fire” for good. She showed us how to be strong, how to move on and not be crippled by the difficulties life brings us. She showed us how to work hard, how to connect with our kids through their interests, how to be thrifty and generous, how to be resilient and to enjoy the simple things in life. And how to laugh!! She was spunky and vibrant. So, no wearing black to her funeral!

Mom also loved her nieces and nephews, that was always a sweet sound to hear her being called, “Aunt Jenny”! She had a rich connection with them as she and our dad always made time for them when they were younger. Thank you for keeping in contact with our parents all these years. And all your kind gifts and cards!

Thanks to the team of hospice workers that cheerfully took care of our mom - and Alexis at Papa’s Place who bravely stepped into her new job and tenderly took care of Jane.

And a special thanks to Breanna for years of weekly girl time and to everyone who made the trip to Leroy to brighten her days. Thanks to Caleb who for years kept them on a tight daily schedule of 2 rounds of Pay Me and Wii bowling, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! Caleb, you made their transition so much easier. And of course, to Grace Katter who makes the yummiest food and will come over whenever she needed.

Again, we are thankful to Brenda and Terry for all they did to make it possible for our parents to be well cared for in the connected apartment you had built for them. We know it wasn’t easy a lot of times. That it was difficult for mom especially to lose her independence – but you kept feeding her love and I know they both so appreciated all you did. I can hear mom saying “sank you” Brenda!! We love you mom and are so very thankful for all the love you poured into our lives! We are better people because of you! “We are happy for you. We are just so happy for you!”

“Yet to all who did receive Him, and those who believed in his name, He gave the right to be called children of God-“ John 1:12

Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025, at W.L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 4480 Mackinaw Rd, Saginaw, MI 48603, where the funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will follow in Oakwood Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider Brave Heart Estates, a retreat for veterans and their families, 4171 Ely Rd Pellston, MI 49769 (231) 539-7111. Please share your thoughts and memories of Jane at the funeral home or by visiting www.casefuneralhome.com.