Kathryn "Kay" Riessen, age 79 of Big Rapids passed away Thursday, June 21, 2007 in Grand Rapids. She was born October 30, 1927 in Bay City to James E. and Margaret L. (Lunger) Jenkins. Kay married Melvin Riessen on August 8, 1946. They made their home in Big Rapids for many years, where Kay worked as an operator for Michigan Bell Telephone Company. The family later moved to Grand Rapids to make their home. Kay worked as an operator for Physicians Exchange service of Grand Rapids until she retired and soon after the family returned to Big Rapids to live. Kay was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Big Rapids. She will be forever remembered, forever loved and forever missed by her devoted family and many dear friends and with her passing the Detroit Tigers have lost their #1 fan. She is survived by six children: Rick (Donna) Riessen of Joliet, IL, Sally (Bob) White of Harbor Springs, Kimberly (Pat) Cederquist of Comstock Park, Rebecca (Dennis) Skrobot of Grand Rapids,Randy Riessen of Lawrenceville, GA, Ron (Becky) Riessen of Big Rapids,14 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren,a brother, Robert S. Jenkins of St. Helens, MI, one nephew, two aunts; Alberta Montgomery of Tucson, AZ and Katherine Turner of Nashville, IN. Besides her parents, Kay was preceded in death by her husband Melvin on July 12, 2002. A memorial service will take place 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 25th at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, 726 Fuller Ave. in Big Rapids with Pastor Robert Garrels officiating. Memorial contributions in Kay's name may be made to the "Lacks Cancer Center" in association with St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids. Memorial envelopes may be obtained at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids where arrangements were made or at the memorial service on Monday.