Mary Kay Hradel
Mary Kay Hradel, 84, of Free Soil, known to all as Kay, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2026. She was born on May 28, 1941, in Mt. Pleasant, to the late Creel and Ruth (Hampton) Laidley.
Kay was united in marriage to her beloved husband, Mike Hradel, on Dec. 30, 1967, beginning a lifelong partnership grounded in love, respect, and shared adventure.
She earned her bachelor of arts degree in elementary education from Central Michigan University and later obtained a master’s degree in physically handicapped education from Eastern Michigan University. Kay devoted much of her life to education, teaching in Ludington and Wyoming, Mich., as well as in Millinocket and East Millinocket, Maine. She later served as the business manager at Cold Stream Farm until her retirement in 2003.
Kay will be remembered for her gentle grace, nurturing spirit, and quiet kindness. She had a wonderful sense of humor and an adventurous, curious nature that drew her to the beauty of the natural world. She found joy in simple and meaningful pursuits and embraced life with warmth and humility.
Her many interests reflected her vibrant spirit. Kay enjoyed volleyball, camping, hiking, mountain climbing, canoeing, beekeeping, woodcock banding, reading, and bird watching. Summers were especially meaningful, spent at the family camp in Maine, where she explored coastal islands and foraged for nature’s bounty, including mushrooms, wild rice, cranberries, and fiddleheads. She loved feeding the birds and could spend hours watching the wildlife out her windows.
A gifted and dedicated musician, Kay played the clarinet in high school and in the Central Michigan University marching band and ensembles. She continued to share her musical talents throughout her life, performing in clubs, musical productions at the Ramsdell, and with fellow musicians in Millinocket.
Above all, Kay was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a cherished grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Michael Hradel; daughter, Heather (Chris Smith) Hradel; her son, Craig (Meghan) Hradel; and granddaughters, Regan and Mia Smith, and Isabella and Evangeline Hradel.
Celebrations of Kay’s life will be held this coming summer at the Free Soil Methodist Church in Michigan and at the Big Moose Inn in Maine.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to a scholarship fund of your choice in honor of Kay’s lifelong commitment to education.
Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, www.GraceCremations.com.
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