"For my Wife Kathleen Ann Karmel Hartog"

Kathleen Ann Karmel Hartog, 57 years young died on March 8^th, 2008 of terminal bone cancer.  She died at home with her family around her helping her with the transition of life and into Gods hands.  She is survived by her Husband Bruce, 3 daughters, Jennifer, Jamie & Jillian and 5 grandchildren Skylar, Mackenzie, Ashley, Ethan & Emily and her Father, Jim Karmel and her 3 brothers Jim, Kevin & Jody Karmel.

Kathy's body succumbed to the cancer that has been plaguing her over the past year. Kathy fought a gallant battle and was a real trooper. The 2 amputations of her right leg took the heart right out of her, but it had to be done in order to get her to the 14 months she stayed with us.

It took her independence away and made her dependant on her family and myself even in just doing the simple things we all take for granted!  In a lot of ways I am glad she is in heaven. She has both of her legs; she is whole again. She has her memory and is with her Mother, her family, and her friends doing something she really loved - playing Texas Hold-em and being a winner like she always was in life.

I know she is looking down on everyone and smiling. She is not in any pain. She has peace of mind in that she was someone to respect, love and admire for what she accomplished in her 57 years and a role model to those she taught.

I am hurting because she was so much to me. The hour of the day that she passed away, 5:20 in the afternoon, is her time because that is the time she passed away on Saturday.  

Kathy deserved the best and got it from her family, all the doctors, nurses and staff that she was involved with at both the hospital in Gainesville N.F.R.M.C, their office staff and nurses that helped prolong her life after the first diagnosis of the terminal bone cancer that was inside of her as of January 2007.

Her family's support through all of this was a total commitment and helped prolong her life. She had to endure 7 surgeries and everything needed to support her life and get her through the cancer that caused the pain in her back.

Kathy was well loved by a lot of people that she touched in life...... We are now the ones that will carry the burden of not having her around but knowing in our minds that where she is, nothing can ever hurt her again! 

Kathy and I love all of you because without you and all of your prayers and constant thoughts she would have never come this far in the path of cancer she had to endure. 

All of you will be remembered by both families as the people who gave her life and cherished those feelings for her over the years she was in you're life, or the months she was part of your life and in and in your care.

She was to me a best friend, partner, loving wife, loving Mother and very dedicated Teacher and that is how she will be remembered to all that truly loved her and will never be forgotten in my life or anyone else's that she touched!