Katherine J. Schwab

Katherine J. Schwab, age 90, died on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Dove Healthcare in Fennimore. She was born on July 15, 1934, the daughter of Guerdon and Florence (Lyght) Reed. She was born and raised in the Union area outside of Platteville. Katherine married Joseph C. Schwab on January 22, 1955. They raised their eight children in Potosi, with Katherine as a stay-at-home mom. Later in life, she worked at Rapid Die and Molding Co. and Loudspeaker Components, LLC. She retired from the working world for an opportunity to provide daycare for three of her great-grandchildren. Doing so gave her great joy. She enjoyed baking, gardening and bird watching, always keeping an eye out for her favorite, the cardinal. Katherine was a huge country music fan, with a special place in her heart for George Strait and his style of music. On Sunday afternoons, you could find her watching NASCAR and cheering on an Earnhardt. 

Katherine is survived by eight children: Joan (Jack) Bausch, Cassville, Joe (Linda) Schwab, Lancaster, Chris Hertrampf, Harpers Ferry, IA, Beth (Joe) Streeter, Fennimore, Patty (Kelly) Livingood, Postville, IA, Bart Schwab, Potosi, Jeanne (Chuck) Steckelberg, Waverly, IA, Tony (Leah) Schwab, Potosi; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Joyce Alt, Betty (Bob) Whitaker and Marlene Winkers; five brothers, Jim Reed, Larry (Patty) Reed, Steve “Savage” Reed, Roger (Jane) Reed and Creg (Patti) Reed; sister-in-law Eva Snider.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Joseph; her parents; three infant children, Perry in 1965, Cynthia in 1966 and Mary Anne in 1968; sisters Ruth Kath and Pat Reuter; brothers Bob and Junior Reed; sister-in-law Sharon Reed; brothers-in-law Jerry Alt, LaVern Kath, Lowell Reuter and Bob Winkers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tennyson. Burial will be in St. Andrew Cemetery, Tennyson. Family and friends may call on Friday, February 21, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the church and on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster is assisting the family.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Dove Healthcare and St. Croix Hospice for their compassionate care of Katherine. In lieu of flowers, the family will donate memorials given in Katherine’s name to her favorite charities.