Surnames: Borchardt, Franklin, Halverson, Lamont, Maslowski, Pinter, Rand, Schraufnagel, Steele, Wilke

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., WI), December 30, 2008, Online Edition

Schraufnagel, Katharine (Heppner) (March 31, 1918 - December 25, 2008)

Katharine Schraufnagel, 90, died a peaceful death on Christmas Day 2008 at Hillview Health Care Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Katharine was born to Katharine and Robert Heppner on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1918 in Colby, Wisconsin. She married Alphonse Schraufnagel on January 15, 1947 at St. Mary’s Church in Colby, Wis. Katharine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

During WWII, Katharine worked for McDonnell Douglas in Chicago, she then worked in the shipyards in Wilmington, Delaware where she wired running lights on Navy destroyers.

Katharine is known to her family and friends as being a strong, independent woman. She was caring, selfless, and extremely generous to all those around her. She volunteered her time at St. Mary’s Church, and with the Cherokee Chums 4-H Club. She took great pride in mentoring children and teaching them how to sew. Katharine’s hobbies included traveling, gardening, baking, reading, and sewing.

Katharine and Alphonse lived on the farm until 1981, when they moved to Colby, Wis. Katharine then moved to Phillips in 1996 and resided at Duroy Terrace and Pleasant View Nursing Home until she moved to Hillview Health Care Center in 2004 where she resided until her death.

Katharine has influenced the lives of many with her unconditional love and adventurous spirit. She taught her loved ones the importance of family, to live each day to the fullest, and to always make time for a good cup of coffee. She will forever be remembered in hearts of many. Katharine is survived by her three siblings, Stella Lamont, Bernice Hamilton and Robert Heppner; five loving children, Judith (Robert) Pinter, Rochester MN, Susan (James) Steele, Potomac MD, Katharine (John) Wilke, Phillips, James Schraufnagel, Colby, and Lori (Anthony) Rand, La Crosse.

She is also survived by her ten grandchildren, Christopher, Amy, and Michael Pinter; James and Philip Steele, Katherine Wilke Maslowski, and Casey Wilke; and Rebecca, Elizabeth, and Meghann Rand.

She is preceded in death by her husband Alphonse Schraufnagel; and her sisters Charlotte Borchardt and Marie Halverson.

A celebration of her life will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Colby, Wisconsin at 11:00 a.m.., Friday, January 2, 2009. The Rev. Benjamin Franklin will preside. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Colby, Wis. Visitation for family and friends will be Thursday, January 1, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford with a Rosary service at 6:30 p.m., and on Friday, January 2 from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Colby, Wis.

Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home, Abbotsford is assisting the family with arrangements.

Paid obituary