Kathleen Alma (Miller) Dass

Kathleen Miller Dass, 84, formerly of McHenry, passed away on December 29, 2021 after a valiant battle with dementia and other illnesses.  She died peacefully, surrounded by family, and will be deeply missed by those of us who knew her.

Kathleen was born on February 22, 1937, to Frank and Frances Miller in Chicago. After graduating from Taft High School in 1955, she married Richard Wurl and raised two children, Karen and Michael, in Rolling Meadows.

After Kathleen and Richard’s divorce, she trained as a printer, and worked for many years as a printer for School District 15 in Palatine.

Kathleen got reacquainted with childhood friend Theodore (Ted) Dass, and they married in 1984, settling in Wonder Lake, and later McHenry.  She earned a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from McHenry County College, becoming a Master Gardener.  She was active with gardening until rheumatoid arthritis made it too difficult.  She had a seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of plant species and how to tend to them.

Kathleen could do anything, as far as her children are concerned.  She was handy with sewing machine as well as a hammer and nail in her day. She once reupholstered a sofa singlehandedly, and the finished product looked incredibly professional.  She was kind to people.  She spoke to strangers whenever she thought she could be helpful.  She could also be assertive when she had to be.  She knew about practical things and life things, and her advice is sorely missed by her children.

In 2014, Kathleen fell ill with a back injury, which got better, and dementia, which got gradually worse.  She was cared for by her husband at their home in Anniston, Alabama, until his passing in early 2019.  She spent her final years at Brickmont Assisted Living facility in Woodstock, Georgia, near her daughter and granddaughters.  We would like to thank the staff at Brickmont, and the staff at Agape Hospice, for their devoted care and support through the end of her life.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband Theodore Dass, her parents, her brother-in-law Ronald Johnson, her sister Patricia Burger Swearingen, and her stepson Jamie Dass.  She is survived by her daughter Karen Wurl, son Michael Wurl, sister Doris Johnson, grandchildren Tara Thoma, Valerie Jane Thoma (Matthew Mammola), Helen Herbst LaStar, Eric Wurl, Amy Wurl and a great grandson, Elam LaStar.  She also leaves stepchildren Todd Dass, Heidi (Jeff) Martin, Keith (Carmen) Dass, and Dana Erin Dass Jenkins, as well as stepgrandchildren Frances Martin, Sarah Martin, Jamie Jenkins, Wesley Jenkins, Catcher Jenkins, and Axl Jenkins, as well numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

A visitation will be held from 11am until a service at 1pm on Friday, January 7, 2022 at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake.  Burial will follow at Windridge Memorial Park, Cary.