Katherine M. Schwab, age 98, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died Friday, May 12, 2017.
Katherine was born August 13, 1918, the daughter of James and Mary (Fecht) Holzer, and was the youngest of 16 siblings. She grew up on a farm in Platteville, Wisconsin, and graduated from Platteville High School. Katherine would have liked to have gone on to be school teacher, but had to stay and help on the farm. She met the love of her life, Ambrose Schwab, at a dance, and were married on February 14, 1939. They were married for 58 years until Ambrose died on May 30, 1997.
Katherine and Ambrose lived their entire married life in Potosi, Wisconsin, where they raised their four children. During WWII, Katherine worked at Reinecke's grocery store, and, later held several part time jobs throughout her life. She was proudest of being a wife, mother, and being home for her children when they needed her. Katherine was a devout Catholic, and prayed the rosary daily. Her favorite past time was playing cards, and she also enjoyed teaching many others how to play Euchre and Rummy as well over the years. She also liked to paint and write poetry. Katherine was also an avid Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers fan. One of her favorite times of the year was the annual "Schwab" northern Wisconsin vacation whereby she enjoyed spending time with her family, fishing, and family games.
Those left to cherish her memory are 4 children: Jan Pacholke, John (Jeanine) Schwab, Karen (Tim) Ginn, and Tim Schwab; 5 grandchildren: Dennis (Lauren) Schwab, Nicholas (Rachael) Schwab, James (Sable) Schwab, Karen (Mark) Wilson, and Aaron Pacholke; 6 great-grandchildren: Sam and Nathan Wilson, Andrew, Henry, Blaise, and Sterling Schwab.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ambrose, parents, James and Mary Holzer, 16 siblings, and son-in-law, David Pacholke.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tennyson with Father Richard Leffler officiating. Burial was in St. Andrew Cemetery, Tennyson. Family and friends called on Monday, May 15, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church, where a 3:45 rosary was prayed and led by Katherine's family. Friends also called on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. A Katherine M. Schwab Memorial Fund has been established. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Potosi is serving the family.
The family wishes to extend their deep thanks to all of Katherine's caretakers over the past few years, including Sheila Marcue, Julie Esser, Maureen Shaben, and Dr. Mark Moore. Special thanks, too, to the Potosi Rescue squad.
Visits: 16
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors