Our Kaye Elaine (Otto) Hassen passed away in her home on July 21, 2024 from Alzheimers Disease. She was born April 7, 1940 to Winnie (Grubbe) and Harvey Otto, the youngest of seven children. She spent most of her school years in Big Rapids, Michigan, and her senior year in Ferndale, where her father pastored a church. Kaye was truly a Lady. She was kind, classy, graceful, loving, with a little bit of an edge. She believed in God and in compassion and forgiveness. In times of trouble, she would show up for others to talk to, lend a hand, or hold a hand. She rolled with the punches, loved to laugh, and could give as good as she could take a good-humored ribbing. She was Mom to many, her children and their children, foster children, and many others who came through her door and into her loving arms. She had a way of making people want to be close to her and a way to make people stop in their tracks with one sharp glance. Even as she lost her memories, Kaye retained her strong personality, joking, laughing, and being a love until her final days. Prior to her illness, she cared for her ailing husband and sister, Karolyn, and she was an active board member of The Woods Free Methodist Church in Stanwood, where she took joy in community work and fellowship with good friends. She enjoyed the beauty of nature, as well as working in her flower garden, reading, playing and listening to piano music, researching genealogy, making delicious cakes and candies, lounging in the sun (especially at the beach), going barefoot, taking planned and spontaneous road trips, playing cards with her Sam, holding babies, and hanging out with her loved ones. She enjoyed watching programs like car racing, X games, funny home videos, vocal competitions, and the Olympics. She could shoot hoops and toss firewood with the best of them. She kept her house ship-shape, and was an eagle-eye with a dead-shot and a lead-foot. Kaye is survived by sister Karolyn "Midge" Otto; son Marc Hassen and daughter-in-law Joyce; daughter Kara Howe and son-in-law, Robert Howe III; daughter Karla Kelch; son Robert Hassen and daughter-in-law Jody; daughter Devon Saker and partner Lauren; and her many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kaye was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Samuel Hassen, and her siblings, Keith "Keeter", Kenneth, Kalvin "Punk", Katherine "Tillie", and Karl. Found in her personal effects was a handwritten note, with "FOR MY OBIT" across the top. It is the poem, After-Glow, by Henry Lawson: Id like the memory of me to be a happy one. Id like to leave an afterglow of smiles when day is done. Id like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. Id like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun. Of happy memories that I leave behind when day is done. A memorial graveside service will be held at the Chippewa Lake Cemetery on August 30th, 2024 at 11am. We will be looking forward to celebrating her life with you. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to help with Kayes final expenses. Please follow this link to donate: https://gofund.me/627c0254 Share a memory or condolence for the family at: www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com Memorial Graveside Service Friday, August 30, 2024 11:00 AM Chippewa Lake Cemetery 19239 Chippewa Drive Rodney,MI 49342