Kathleen Ellen "Kathy" Jendrusik, age 76, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.  She was born January 14, 1947, in Columbus, OH, daughter of the late David Oliver Smith and Elma (Mitchell) Smith.

She is survived by a son: Robert Lee Jendrusik of Nashville, OH; and cousins: Jeannie (Mitchell) Myers and Tom from Drummond Island and Anna Mitchell from Charlotte, MI.

Kathy studied at Capital University and was inducted into Delta Omicron Music Fraternity at Miami University. She was owner and instructor of Ka-Jens Piano Studio in Sidney.  Kathy was State Chairman of the All-Ohio Piano Ensemble of the Ohio Music Teachers Association held at various colleges throughout Ohio for years.  She founded and chaired the All-Ohio Competition Duettists and also the Midwest Competition Duettists held yearly at Ohio Northern University. Kathy was the chairman of the Piano Guild of the American College of Musicians and inducted into their Hall of Fame. She has one published duet called "The Winds of Time" and composed many compositions for weddings and other events over the years.  Many of her students have gone on to become music teachers.

Kathy created a Composer Appreciation Day so that her students could spend a day with the composers who wrote their music.  Carolyn Miller, Robert and Karen Vandall, Melody Bober and Dr. David Karp were a few of the composers that she honored.  Kathy's piano family honored her with her own Composer Appreciation Day.

Visitation will be held from 6:00-7:00 PM on September 1, 2023, at Baird Funeral Home in Troy, with music provided by her students. Memorial service will follow at 7:00 PM.  Private interment will be in Graceland Cemetery at Sidney.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Koester Staff Development Fund in Kathy's honor.  Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bairdfuneralhome.com.

Koester Pavilion, Staff Development Fund
3232 N. County Road 25A, Troy OH 45373