Kathleen Willkom

The world lost one of its finest when God welcomed Kathleen M. Willkom, age 77, who passed away on April 23, 2026. Kathy fought a courageous 12-year battle with a rare form of Parkinson’s. She was a fighter and offered hope and inspiration at the worst of times. She impacted countless lives over the years, showing everyone she met how to live their life to the fullest and fight to overcome any obstacle.

A Mass of Christian burial for Kathy will be held on Friday, May 1, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Matthew Parish, 130 St. Matthew Street, Green Bay. Interment of Kathy's ashes in Guardian Angel Cemetery will take place at a later date. Family and friends will gather to share memories before the mass at the church from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

Kathy was born on June 8, 1948, to the late William M. and Betty Kobishop, in Stevens Point, the second child of six. Kathy grew up in St. Joseph Parish where she eagerly received the sacraments, and where hard work, Christian values, and religion were important. She attended St. Joseph Grade School and Maria High School, and after graduating in 1966, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Jerry Hilary Willkom, in 1968. They were happily married and inseparable for 51 years.

This magnificent human being was truly one of a kind, devoting her life to her family, and praying for each one of them. She and Jerry made their home in Whitefish Bay, where they raised their two children. Eventually they settled in Stevens Point to be close to relatives. Her house was a warm and inviting place filled with friends - and usually a cat. By far, Kathy cherished her family, especially her role of wife, mother, and grandmother - always assured her husband, children, and grandchildren that she was there for them, she loved each one of them, and she was proud of them as individuals. Her giving nature made Kathy an incredible wife and mother. She was thrilled to become a grandmother and enjoyed cheering on her children and grandchildren at their soccer, basketball, mountain-biking, and football games, even when it was raining. Kathy quickly became an excellent role model, full of determination, caring, and love...a beacon of hope to those she encountered. Kathy had a knack for remembering people's names, too, believing that it made them feel important and valued.

Humans like Kathy come along once in a lifetime - and if you are fortunate (as we all were) to know her, you knew that she was always giving of herself and never asking for or expecting anything in return. Kathy will always be remembered for her patience and calm temperament, and her unmatched affection for her family and friends. She enriched many lives, earning a memorable place in the hearts of family and friends, and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

Kathy firmly believed that exercise kept one healthy. She was a proud member of Your Gym and the Special Needs Aquatic Program at UW-SP.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband Jerry, parents, her in-laws, and one brother, William.

She is survived by her children, Anissa, Green Bay, and Spencer (Traci), Verona; her sisters Trish, (Bob Barr), Evanston IL; Betty (Greg Gustafson); Barbara (close friend, Terry Wechler), Hustisford; Loree (Chris P. LaFlex), Stevensville, MI; and grandchildren Ben, Jake, Madelyn and Sam.

Kathy's soft-spoken and loving nature made a profound impression on her loved ones and on total strangers. Her greatest attributes were her warmth, compassion, generosity, humility, thoughtfulness, ability to make others laugh and her open-mindedness. It was the things around her that Kathy never took for granted, commenting often how fortunate and thankful she was. It was often said of her that "people aren't like that anymore. They only care about themselves".

Kathy's interests included reading, baking, and caring for her yard and other people. She met her end with courage, integrity, and humility that defined her throughout her life.

During her childhood and young adulthood in Stevens Point, a place she loved living and working in, Kathy developed an appreciation for a job well done. It took hard work and long hours, but nothing could embitter her, and nothing could keep her from giving herself to others as a supportive wife, sister, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Kathy enjoyed spending time with her pets and opened her home to her youngest grandchildren each summer, planning a new adventure each day. Although she never learned how to swim, her decorated cakes and office decorations were legendary.

Beginning in high school, Kathy focused her considerable empathy on causes that recognized the need for social justice and supported many religious activities.

She was a long-time member of Holy Spirit Parish.

Kathy, who was incredibly intelligent, worked as an education assistant in Whitefish Bay, and after continued service in the Stevens Point School District, went on to serve as secretary to the Director of Gifted and Talented in Stevens Point. With her college degree in hand, Kathy took a job with the Stevens Point Area Public Schools, working as Library Media Specialist at Roosevelt and Jackson Schools for over 17 years. She made great memories and several lifelong friends there. While caring for her

family and home, and at the age of forty-seven, Kathy received her master’s degree from UW-Superior. Though she enjoyed working with children, Kathy eventually redirected her focus and began a career as a circulation aide and most recently as a reference librarian at Portage County Public Library.

Kathy dedicated her professional career to helping others. She received a 110% award from the Stevens Point Area Public Schools. Kathy was a faithful and active member of the Fair-Trade Committee. She served on the St. Stanislaus Social Justice Committee and was an active member of the parish's Haiti committee, travelling to that country as a missionary. Kathy formerly led a Junior Great Books group with her husband and donated over twelve pints of blood at the American Red Cross Bloodmobile. She traveled to California with her husband and took a cruise along the Mexican Riviera. A seasoned sacristan and talented lector at her home parish, Kathy served as a SAVS advocate, a bread-baker and friend for the HIV-Aids Project, a member of the Holy Spirit prayer partners, and most recently as a volunteer at Ascension Hospital. Kathy loved volunteering, making numerous new friends along the way. She was always surrounded by close friends. The best friend anyone could ever have, you were blessed if Kathy were your friend and blessed if you were family. Kathy was a part of the family, loved by all as though she were blood related.

Kathy had a passion for a good drink, a delicious meal, and good conversation.

In her free time, Kathy (also known as "Ms. Daisy" to her many email friends) enjoyed watching the Wisconsin Badgers football team, the San Jose Sharks, and the Green Bay Packers on television and reading a variety of periodicals. Despite the extreme anxiety with which she was plagued in her later years, Kathy looked forward with eagerness to the family's annual week at the Waupaca Chain O' Lakes. A congenial, gracious woman, Kathy appreciated listening to both opera and heavy metal rock. Kathy relished hearing her daughter play the organ or piano at church and watching her conduct the church choirs. Her major dislike was Wisconsin's frigid winters.

All who knew Kathy knew also how she always defended her small stature, proudly proclaiming, "I'm not short - I'm Fun Size" Or (from Wm. Shakespeare) "Though she be but little, she is fierce."

Fiercely independent and very kind - Kathy's life was a story of duality: struggle and triumph, setback and accomplishment, sorrow, and joy. Although we sometimes question where beautiful people like Kathy come from, her family knew her as sweet and deeply sympathetic. Her co-workers came to know Kathy as patient and fair, encouraging, and realistic, a gentle, gifted listener and more than anything, forgiving. Kathy relished one simple truth - that everyone has a story, a story that shapes them and those around them, influences his or her decisions, and that deserves to be told.

Those who knew Kathy learned so many lessons: that life experience is every bit as important as intellect, that life is not always fair, and that any achievement is as much about stick-to-itiveness as it is about merit. Kathy was a living testament to the fact that empathy is the very highest emotion. She emphasized the meaning of hard work, and the importance of doing every job correctly. Kathy had a zest for life.

We salute your life, Kathy. You are so loved. Be at Peace. We love you and miss you already but are glad that you are safely home.

In place of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.