Obit: Deml, Kathryn I. (1922 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Amacher, Andrews, Deml, Diedrich, Draeger, Dziedzic, Emmerich, Frahman, Kellnhofer, Meyer, Olszewski, Senski, Singelton, Sundin, Voneniem, Westrich

----Source: WIGM/WKEB Obituaries (Medford, WI) 7/15/2015

Deml, Kathryn “Kathy” I. (Westrich) (7 JUL 1922 - 12 JUL 2015)

Kathryn “Kathy” I. Deml, age 93, of Rib Lake and a former Medford area resident, died Sunday, 12 July, 2015, at the Golden Living Center, Rib Lake. She was a resident there the past 4 years and under care of Asera Care Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 11am, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Medford, with Rev. Nancy Amacher presiding. Interment will be at Medford Evergreen II Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until time of services at 11 am, Thursday, July 16, at St. Paul’s.

Pallbearers were Rick and Eric Deml, Todd, Robbie and Craig Diedrich, Jody and Jeff Kellnhofer and Curt Sundin.

Kathy was born July 7, 1922, in the Town of Grover, Perkinstown, Wisconsin, to the late Ernest and Bessie M. (Singelton) Westrich Sr. She attended rural grade school in Perkinstown and was a 1939 graduate of Hannibal High School.

She married LeRoy J. Demel on July 13, 1940, in Medford. LeRoy preceded her in death on May 29, 1967. Kathy was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and the Medford VFW.

In 1944 Kathryn worked at Heimerels Variety Store for 8 years. In 1952 she worked for Olga’s Café for 4 years. 1956 worked at Milly’s Café and took over ownership in 1957 where Kathy owned and operated Milly’s for 4 years and in 1961 went into partnership with her mother for the following 4 years. In 1965 resumed single ownership of Milly’s for 2 years. In 1968 began working at the Memorial Nursing Home as a CNA, in 1982 transferred to Memorial Hospital as a housekeeper. Kathryn worked for 29.5 years between the Memorial Nursing Home and Memorial Hospital until her retirement on November 28, 1997. She enjoyed volunteer work at the Medford VFW, embroidering, making jam, canning, cleaning, making homemade donuts and cookies. Kathryn also loved cardinals and Red, White and Blue.

Survivors include children Joan (Raymond) Diedrich of Athens, Melvin (Terry) Deml of Edgerton, Shirley (Ted) Kellnhofer of Medford and Mary Deml of Elk Grove, CA, 14 and 2 Step Grandchildren, 32 Great Grandchildren, 7 Great Grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters Beatrice Andrews of Necedah, Lucille Draeger of Medford, Ida Frahman of Muskego, Rita (Ken) Emmerich of Medford, Eleanor Olszewski of Cudahy and Carol Meyer of Westboro.

Kathy is predeceased by her parents, Ernest and Bessie M. (Singelton) Westrich Sr., brothers Donnie, Leroy, Melvin, Orland and Ernest Westrich Jr., sisters Crystal Dziedzic and Christine Senski, step sisters Iola Meyer, Marjorie Voneniem and Hazel Meyer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Kathy’s family to be designated at a later date. Hemer Funeral Homes of Medford and Rib Lake is assisting the family with arrangements.