Kathleen Ann Bivins

Surrounded by those that meant the world to her, Kathleen (Kathy) Bivins passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 2, 2017, at the age of 68 years. Our Mother, Nana, Sister and Friend was born in Saginaw, Michigan on June 1st, 1948 to the late Christian and Sally (Wescott) Schmieder. She was graduated from Saginaw High School, Class of 1966 and maintained her friendships with "The High School Gang". On February 17th, 1968, she married the love of her life Garry D. Bivins who she'll be reunited with in Heaven, as he passed away in February of 2006. Together they enjoyed 38 years of marriage. Kathy worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Company after graduation. She enjoyed home building and interior decorating. She obtained her residential builders license and contracted the building of their family home as well as their family's vacation cottage in Northern Michigan where over the years, many memories have been made. Kathy also oversaw other building projects in her community of Thomas Township, as well at the family business, Majestic Van Corporation that her son, Bryan, continues to operate. She was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Kathy and Garry loved to travel. They enjoyed cruises with friends, trips to Las Vegas, New Orleans, Miami, and her favorite trips were to Napa Valley, and Gulf Shores, Alabama. But Kathy found paradise when they vacationed on Marco Island, Florida where they shared the family winter home and entertained many visiting friends. Kathy had a flair for entertaining and home decor. She loved planning holiday parties in her younger years, finding just the right menu and decorations and having the perfect entertainment for her guests, but her favorite party project was planning the wedding of her only daughter, Heather. She found much enjoyment in sharing what she had with others. If their home or cottage was abuzz with activity from her kids, grandkids and friends she was in her glory. The more the merrier she believed. She is survived by her two children Bryan (Jill) Bivins, Saginaw and Heather (Peter) Dwan, Bay City. Both Kathy and Garry were blessed with eight grandchildren, Zachery, Brianna, Bailey and Avery Bivins and Katie, Peter, Patrick and Allison Dwan. There are not enough words to describe her love for her children and grandchildren. Kathy and her grandkids did many special things together.including weekend trips, family vacations, lunches and sleepovers at "Nana's". She beamed with pride attending their sporting events, school programs and dance recitals, anything the kids were involved in, Nana wanted to be there. Kathy enjoyed practical jokes and played them often with her grandkids and in turn, they played them on her. The phrase "Was that a Good One, Nana?" meant one of the grandkids scared her or got her good with a joke, which she loved. Kathy enjoyed watching many sports. She loved University of Michigan Football, NASCAR, and Michigan State Basketball where tradition dictated watching March Madness with her youngest sister, Carol, during their winter escapes to Florida together. She was the oldest sister to Mary Kay Schmieder, Saginaw and Carol (Jeff) Patterson of Brevard, North Carolina and also leaves many nieces, nephews, as well as brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws. She also leaves her best friends Gayle Boehlke and Fred Czerewko with whom she shared many laughs and good times during their road trips over the years. Funeral service will take place at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at the W. L. Case and Company Funeral Chapel, 201 N. Miller Rd. Burial will be in Owen Cemetery. Friends may visit at the funeral home from 3:00 8:00 p.m. Tuesday and from 9:00 a.m. Wednesday until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Nouvel Catholic Central High School Scholarship Fund c/o The Bivins Family or The Saginaw Community Foundation. www.casefuneralhome.com

Funeral Home:
W. L. Case and Company
201 North Miller Road
Saginaw, MI
United States 48609