Katherine C. (Braatz) Schemm

Katherine Schemm, 82, of Slinger, WI and formerly of Oconomowoc and Wild Rose, WI, passed away on April 26, 2016 at the Kathy Hospice in West Bend, WI due to a stroke.  She was a wonderful mother, sister, grandmother, and friend.

Katherine was born in Oconomowoc, WI on December 26, 1933, the daughter of Louis and Evelyn Braatz.  On August 18, 1951, she was united in marriage to Wilbur Schemm.  They began their married life in Helenville, WI and then moved to Oconomowoc.  Katherine worked at the Musebeck Shoe Company for approximately 10 years.  She then embarked on a 20-year career as the church secretary at Dr. Martin Luther Church in Oconomowoc.  Katherine was a wonderful mother to her children, Cindy and Rick.   She loved the family pets and had a great fondness for her cats throughout her life.   She enjoyed family gatherings with her brothers and sisters and their families.  She relished spending time at the cottage in Wild Rose with her family and friends at Round Lake. 

After Wilbur retired, they moved to a home in the country near Wild Rose, Wisconsin, where they lived for 17 years.  Katherine liked living in the quiet of the country where she raised magnificent raspberry bushes and enjoyed the birds and wildlife.  When Wilbur’s health declined, they moved into Wild Rose and Katherine made many new friends who provided good company and help when needed.  We are very thankful for the friendship and care that Lyle and Diane Blasing and her good friend Martha Jackson provided during those years.  Shortly after Wilbur passed away in 2012, Katherine moved to the Hartford area to be close to her daughter and her extended family.

Katherine had a long and full life and she was deeply loved by her family.  She survived lung cancer, an aortic aneurysm, and a heart attack and through it all, she accepted life’s trials, as well as its joys.  We will miss her mild manner, her gentle smile and her unconditional love.

Katherine is survived by her daughter Cindy (Charles) Kiesow, Hartford,WI; son Rick (Donna) Schemm, Eau Claire, WI; grandchildren, Jacob (fiancée, Rachael Hunter) Schemm , Minneapolis, MN and Isaac Schemm, Eau Claire, WI; brothers, Roy Braatz and Lawrence (Rose) Braatz, Oconomowoc, WI; sisters, Dolores Johnson, Oconomowoc, WI and Joan (Eugene) Klauer, Waukesha, WI; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Katherine was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Evelyn Braatz; her husband, Wilbur; her brothers John Braatz and Philip Braatz; and her sister Mildred Kloth.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Waterford Assisted Living in Hartford; Serenity Villa in Slinger; and the Kathy Hospice in West Bend for their competent and compassionate care.

A celebration of Katherine’s life will be held on Friday, April 29, 2016 at Dr. Martin Luther Church, 325 South Main Street, Oconomowoc.  Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the church, with the service following at 11:00 a.m.  A meal will be served at the church following her interment at her final resting place in Glenview Memorial Gardens in Ixonia. The Berndt-Ledesma Funeral Home of Hartford is serving the family.

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