Lois Catherine Grommersch, 92, of Brookings, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, MI.  Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019 at Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings with a Liturgical Wake Service beginning at 6:30 pm.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 4, 2019, at the Pius II Newman Center in Brookings.  

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make donations to the Pius XII Newman Center (1321 8th St, Brookings, 57006), the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN or the charity of your choice.

Lois Catherine “Kitty” Stanhope was born on Oct. 11, 1926, in Gonzales, LA, the daughter of Frederic and Nora (Dyer) Stanhope.  At the age of eight, Kitty’s mother passed away from tuberculosis, but Kitty persevered with the love of her father, her extended family and many close friends in the tightly knit community where she was raised.  Kitty attended Gonzales High School, where she developed her love of music and the clarinet in particular.  Kitty also excelled in swimming and won numerous medals and awards at local swim competitions.  Kitty continued her education at Southeastern Louisiana University on a music scholarship from her prowess with the clarinet.  Unfortunately, she had to withdraw from the university due to a major illness with her father and assist with his well-being.  To support the family during her father’s illness, Kitty joined the US Army Corps of Engineers as a drafter and aided in both the design and operation of the Bonnet Carre spillway which was built to protect the city of New Orleans from the Mississippi river.

She was united in marriage to James (Jim) Henry Grommersch on January 24, 1951.

After marrying Jim, Kitty moved to Detroit, MI and supported Jim throughout his career at Ford Tractor.  While Jim pursued his career, Kitty managed the household and orchestrated the activities associated with six relocations all while raising three children.  Once the children were grown and on their own, Kitty obtained her real estate license in Michigan and sold homes until their final relocation to South Dakota in 1990. 

Despite losing her father in 1957, Kitty maintained close ties with her family and friends in Louisiana.  Kitty always loved music and loved to spend time in her native Louisiana; New Orleans in particular - which explains her penchant for loving Mardi Gras and parties of all kinds!  In fact, Jim and Kitty initially retired in Michigan; then relocated one last time to split their retirement years between Louisiana and South Dakota.  Kitty will always be remembered for her positive attitude, beautiful smile and eagerness to help others.

Kitty is survived by sons, David (Paula) of Delano, MN, Daniel (Debra) of Huntington Beach, CA, and daughter Margaret Anne (Bob Frey) of Bloomfield Hills, MI; grandchildren Charlotte, Rachel, James, and Danielle, two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.  Kitty was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, and sister, Anne Sevario.

Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.