Katherine “Kat” Buda

The sun set on the life of Katherine “Kat” (Schoen) Buda, age 42, of Traverse City, on Saturday, August 27, 2022. Katherine was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend who always put the needs of others before herself. If anyone needed a listening ear, she would always make time for a conversation. She enjoyed the beauty of Northern Michigan and especially time at the beach. Above all, her family and especially her daughter, Bella, was the joy of her life. She was preceded in death by her father, Rick Schoen. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 17 years, Brian Buda; daughter, Bella; mother, Ruth Ellen Schoen; stepmother, Lynn Schoen; sister, Kelly and Dan Leatherman; stepbrother and stepsisters, Tim Bailey, Tina and Bob Brock, Tish and Chris Reed; parents-in-law, John and Linda Buda; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Vicki (Buda) Graczyk, Sarah Buda, Karen (Buda) and Pablo Valenzuela; several loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. A celebration of Katherine’s life will be held on Friday, September 9, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW with Pastor Dennis Gilbert officiating. Relatives and friends may meet the family Friday from noon-2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the family for her daughter Bella’s Education Fund.