Katherine Lee (Kile) Burgess

September 27, 1948 ~ September 8, 2025

Katherine Lee (Kile) Burgess, 76, of South Bend, passed away on Monday September 8, 2025, at Primrose Retirement Community.

Katherine was born in South Bend on September 27, 1948, to the late Stanley Wayne and Jane Alice (Joers) Kile. 

On November 3, 1979, she married Dennis Burgess in South Bend, sharing 45 years of marriage.  Together they had one son, Bradlee Kile Burgess who preceded her in death.

Katherine worked in customer service for Allied Insurance agency for 18 years and for Surplus Insurance Brokers for 17 years.  She was a faithful member for Holy Trinity Lutheran church where she served as Sunday School teacher, VBS chair, and on the church council and was also and active member of the euchre club for 24 years. 

 Kathy was a bright light, confidant, and friend to anyone she would meet.  She was the matriarch of the friend group where she would hold court.    She loved everyone but especially children and babies.  She also loved her dog Blue.  She was an avid collector, especially of elephants and purple would be her color of choice!

Katherine is survived by her husband, Dennis, sister, Carol Gresham, and brothers, Paul (Karen) Kile and Robert (Sandy) Kile, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, and her sister, Marcia Bahler.

Visitation for Katherine will be held from 4pm-7pm on Monday September 15, 2025, at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St. South Bend.  Visitation will also be held from 10am-11am on Tuesday September 16, 2025, at the funeral home with a funeral service beginning at 11am.  Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend.

Online condolences to the family may be sent via the Palmer Funeral Homes website at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com

9/10/2025 djb

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