Kathleen Rongere Cieslak

Rockford - Kate passed from this life to the next on May 3. She died peacefully while sleeping next to her beloved husband and her dog Abby. Kate was born on March 17, 1953 to Joseph and Jill (Dannenberg) Rongere. She married Michael Cieslak, the love of her life, on June 16, 1973. Kate attended Muldoon High School, graduated from Boylan High School, Kishwaukee College School of Nursing, St. Mary of the Woods College, and Loyola University Institute of Pastoral Studies (Counseling). She ministered to others as a registered nurse, then a hospital chaplain, and finally as a psychotherapist. She loved nature, walking with her husband and puppy and simply being. Kate is survived by her beloved husband Michael and mother Jill; precious siblings Samuel (Carm) Rongere, George (Kathy) Rongere, Lori (Gary) Kampmeier, Barbara (John) Statdfield, Mary (Ed) Byrnes, and Joseph (Nickie) Rongere; sister-in-law Barbara Cieslak Burton; many wonderful nieces and nephews; and special nephew Evan Jarzynski, a gift to Kate from his mother Julie; honorary granddaughters Destiny and Harmony; and dear friend Loris Damerow. Kate is meeting her paternal grandparents, Samuel and Lillian (Fertitta) Rongere for the first time in heaven, as well as being reunited with her maternal grandparents, George and Dorothy Dannenberg, father Joe, and sister Julie Jarzynski. Memorials may be made to St. James Church, Rockford, or Northern Illinois Hospice, Rockford.
Funeral mass will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 11, 2018 at St. James Catholic Church, 428 N 2nd St, Rockford, IL 61107. Visitation Thursday from 4-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:45 p.m at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108 and from 9:30 until time of service Friday at the church. Burial at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory. – Send online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com