Kathleen Ann Willms, 75, of Watertown passed away unexpectedly on Friday, August 16, 2024 at the Watertown Regional Medical Center. Kathleen (Kathi), daughter of Leon and Rita (Krogman) Willms grew up in Oak Creek, WI with her 7 siblings. After graduating from Oak Creek High School in 1966, Kathi attended and graduated from UW Whitewater earning a degree in Early Childhood Education. Over the next 35 years, Kathi applied her education as well as her kind, patient and empathetic nature towards children and families who faced behavioral, developmental and/or psychiatric challenges. Kathi worked in the Special Development Clinic of Milwaukee Children’s Hospital as a behavioral specialist, at the Rhinelander School District in the Early Childhood program, Jefferson County’s Birth to three program and finally East Elementary School in Jefferson as an Early Childhood Teacher, retiring in 2005.
In 1976 Kathi married Thomas Kellner and moved to Eagle River, WI before starting a family in Fort Atkinson. Once their children were old enough, they began taking family road trips to different destinations in the U.S. each summer.
In 2004 Kathi married the love of her life, Jon Heitz. Together they enjoyed gardening, watching their favorite shows, cheering on the Brewers, going to The Fireside, frequent lunch or dinner outings with their “friend group” and just being in each other’s company, often times sharing playful banter.
Kathi was sweet, spunky and always good for a laugh. She loved to have fun and enjoyed doing so amongst family and several different social groups she maintained throughout the years. Whether it be getting together with great friends back in the day for regular “Trivial Pursuit” game nights, playing multiple rounds of “Oh Hell” with her “Card Ladies,” who later became travel companions; or meeting up with her “Swimming Ladies” at water aerobics, who after several years became her “Breakfast Ladies;” she was always looking forward to socializing and spending time with family and friends. Kathi loved deeply, her children were her world and her granddaughter was the light of her life.
She will be missed dearly.
Kathleen is preceded in death by her brother Joseph Willms; parents, Leon and Rita Willms; son, Joseph Kellner; sister-in-law, Jean Heitz and husband, Jon Heitz. She is survived by her daughter, Megan (Timothy) Gile; granddaughter Makinley Gile, brothers Paul (Lynn) Willms, James (Margaret) Willms, Charles (Beth) Willms, Thomas (Beverly) Willms and sisters; Mary (Robert) Krisel and Susan (Robin) Nelson; brother-in-law Jac (Ruth) Heitz as well as several nieces, nephews and close friends.
A celebration of life will take place at The American Legion in Fort Atkinson on November 2nd from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. All friends and family are welcome to stop by. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Humane Society of Jefferson County.
Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.schneidermichaelis.com
Kathleen Ann Willms
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