Obit: Mager, Katherine M. (1948 – 2009)

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Mager, Nickel, Smith, Amundson, Klein, Knudtson, Pederson, Van Tassel, Wiseman, Ristow, King, Dodge, Matushinec, Meredeth

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) July 8, 2009

Mager, Katherine M. (6 January 1948 – 5 July 2009)

Katherine Marie (Nickel) Mager, 61, of Black River Falls, and formerly of Osseo and Blair, passed away at home surrounded by family Sunday, July 5, 2009, under the care of the Black River Hospice.

She was born Jan. 6, 1948, in South Beloit, IL.  Kathy was adopted by Charles and Marie Nickel of Pewaukee.

Kathy enjoyed life to the fullest.  Her fondest memories are that of Colorado where she lived in the 1980s on her little five-acre plot that she built from the ground up. She especially enjoyed time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She also spent countless hours on the Internet playing Final Fantasy XI.  There she met her special friend, “Buds”.

Before Kathey became ill, she had been employed at the Rainbow Café in Blair.

Kathy is survived by one daughter, Cindy Smith (Eric Amundson) of Osseo; four sons, Richard Smith of Black River Falls, David (Carey) Smith of Blair, Charles Klein of Wisconsin Rapids and Frank (Donna) Klein of Whitehall; 16 grandchildren, Tammy (Mike) Knudtson, Curtis Smith (fiancée Heather), Bradley (Hope) Pederson, Bryan Pederson, Warren Van Tassel, Kailei Wiseman (fiancé Lance), Amanda Smith, Samantha Ristow, Sammy and Kristen King, Mariah and Alyxsis Smith, Ana, Aurora and Isabella Dodge and Cadence Klein (Mamaws little ducky); and five great-grandchildren, Trinity, Hailie and Mason Knudtson and James and Danielle Ristow.  Kathy is also survived by one sister, Rose Marie (Joe) Matushinec, and several half brothers and sisters, Kenny, Margaret, Faith, Lori, Becky, Patty, Mike, Don, Dawn, Sheila, Christian, Mike, robin, Penny and Donna. She is further survived by many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Black River Hospice for all its care and encouraging words. Also a big thank you to Julie Wiseman for putting countless hours into Mom’s care.  And to Adam “Buds” Meredeth of Oregon, you and Mom played Final Fantasy for four years; when you got the call from us, you hopped on a plane and came to Wisconsin to meet the girl known to you as “Sorcha.”  You made her laugh and smile in the last days she had with us.  You will always be in our hearts.

It was Mom’s wish to be cremated along with her canine companion of 14 years, Chiquita.  Mom will forever live in Colorado looking at Mount Blanca, where her ashes will be spread at a later date.

“Lift your wings and fly, Mama, you are now free.”

A memorial visitation for Katherine M. Mager will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 9, 2009, at the Schiefelbein Funeral Home, Osseo.