Obituary of Katherine Nellree Coates-Kreisel

     Mrs. Katherine (Kathy) Nellree Coates-Kreisel, age 61, of Amsterdam, entered eternal rest on September 12, 2020, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, she died peacefully in her sleep at home.

     Born February 14, 1959 in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, daughter of the late Willis and Eva Nell Coates. Kathy was a graduate of Wilbur H. Lynch High School, class of 1977. She was a former employee of Fownes Brothers & Co. Inc. for 13 years. Upon having children, Kathy left her job to become a stay at home mother. Kathy returned to work in 2009 at Fage USA Dairy, where she stayed until her first battle with breast cancer.

     Kathy spent the majority of her life giving back to her community by volunteering for various charities and fundraisers. She also enjoyed playing softball, bocce ball, and participating in local 5K’s. Kathy was a member of the Crossroads Community Church. She liked to travel to Seattle to visit her brothers and spend time with family and friends. Kathy always had a smile on her face and a positive outlook at life, even through her two battles with cancer. Anyone who met her knew she was a fighter with a heart of gold. 

     Katherine is survived by her husband of 31 years, Jeffrey Kreisel of Amsterdam whom she married on August 19, 1989. She has two children, a son, Ethan Kreisel and a daughter, Brandie Kreisel.

     Brothers include James (Pat) of Brockport; John (Deb), Willis (Angela), David (Lindsay), all from Seattle; sister Barbara Coates (Joe Merendo) of Amsterdam; and sister-in-law Holly Vincent of Indianapolis. She is also survived cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Richard Coates on November 23, 2019.

      Due to the coronavirus and in respect of Kathy’s wishes, there will be no calling hours and services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 or  Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478,  Oklahoma City, OK 73123.   The family would like to thank Community Hospice for the incredible care Kathy received. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Betz, Rossi and Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam, NY 12010.