Kathryn Leah Koenig, 71, of Fort Atkinson, passed away Dec. 28, 2014, at the University Hospital in Madison.
She was born in Fond du Lac on Feb. 6, 1943 to Leonard Kohlman and Marion (Hassman) Kohlman.
She graduated from Fort Atkinson High School in 1961 and attended St Mary’s School of Nursing and Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin and became an RN in 1964. She returned to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1999. Kathy’s career in nursing took her from Fort Hospital, and St. Coletta’s School, Jefferson, to industrial nursing positions at Butler Manufacturing, Fort Atkinson, and Crepaco in Lake Mills. She retired from Mercy Clinic, Whitewater in 1997.
She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Communities in Jefferson. Kathy had un-wavering faith in God. She was adamant about the value of higher education and believed we should never stop learning and challenging ourselves. Absolutely fierce in her love for her family, she lived to spend time with her grandkids Allissa and Brett. Among her hobbies and interests were: traveling, sewing and needlework, reading, creative writing and writing her memoirs, gardening and cooking.
In her younger years, she enjoyed collecting and refinishing antiques, decorating their home, biking, cross-country skiing, volunteering and entertaining. Kathy was incredibly blessed by many fantastic and loving friends who filled her life with boundless comfort and joy.
Kathy is survived by her husband Ron; they married in 1964 and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary together. She is also survived by their son Steve, his wife Karen, their two children Allissa and Brett of Fort Atkinson and their daughter Ellen of Madison.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 6 p.m. on Dec. 30 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson with the Rev. Thomas Coyle officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 3 p.m. until the time of Mass.
Memorials can be made to St John the Baptist Church, Jefferson or the UW Madison Cancer Center.
Condolences and memorials can also be made online at www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com.
