Katherine Fanslau

BRITTON — Katherine Eudora Fanslau, age 87, of Britton, Mich., passed away at Cambrian Senior Living in Tecumseh on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, under the care of Hospice of Lenawee. She was born in Macon Township on Aug. 16, 1939, the daughter of the late Louis and Mary (Williams) Downing. On Feb. 28, 1959, she was joined in marriage with Frederick William Fanslau at Grace Lutheran Church in Tecumseh, and they enjoyed 55 years together before his passing on July 8, 2014.

Katherine was a lifetime enthusiast of games of luck. She loved bingo, scratch-off lottery tickets and casinos. She especially enjoyed going on her yearly Ollie’s Mystery Tour bus trips with her daughters-in-law, Pam and Melody, and they shared many big adventures together.

Katherine is survived by her three sons Gregory (Pamela) Fanslau of Whitmore Lake, Scott (Melody) Fanslau of Adrian and Brian Fanslau of Tecumseh; her grandchildren, Jeremiah (Jacquelyn) Fanslau, Travis (Kelsey) Fanslau, Evan (Adrienne) Fanslau, Eric (Samantha) Fanslau, Eleanor (Brennan) Irish, Gretchen Fanslau and Jacob (Mercedes Arocha) Fanslau; great-grandchildren Ford, Rhett, Corinne, Reagan, Riley, Claire, Peter and Lincoln; sister-in-law Mary Jo Downing; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and her husband, Frederick “Fritz,” Katherine was preceded in death by her brother Russell Downing and his wife, Margaret; her sister, Anna Spreeman, and her husband, Edwin; her brother, Roland Downing; and her granddaughter, Megan Smith, whose death in 2025 shattered her heart.

Private services for Katherine will be held at her final resting place in Ridgeway Cemetery in Ridgeway. Memorial donations in Katherine’s name may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are under the care of the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be made to the family at handlerfuneralhomes.com.