Kathleen ''Kathy'' R. (Groeschel) Freund, age 84, of New Holstein, passed away Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Rocky Knoll Health Care Center where she resided for the past four years.

She was born April 24, 1939, in the Town of Calumet near Pipe to Louis & Elsie (Mertens) Groeschel. Kathy graduated from New Holstein High School in 1957. On September 28, 1957, she married Vernon W. Freund at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Marytown. Together, the couple actively raised their four sons. Vern preceded her in death on June 3, 2016.

After her children were in school, Kathy worked in housekeeping for the Holy Rosary rectory and for private clients. Kathy was the well-liked neighborhood ''Mom'' that interacted with all of her son's friends. She provided baked home-made treats, including her peanut squares, as well as cookies, popsicles, and Kool Aid; just to name a few.

Kathy was a caring, kind, & wonderful mom and grandmother; her grandchildren meant the world to her and she was the center of the world to them. Whether it was baby sitting for them, playing games, coloring, or attending their sporting and school events; she made every attempt to interact with her grandchildren.

Kathy was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in New Holstein and helped out with church functions.

Survivors include her four sons, David (Christine) Freund of Cedar Grove, Paul Freund of New Holstein, Gary (Kara) Freund of New Holstein, and Wayne (Carly) Freund of Appleton; five grandchildren, Megan Freund (boyfriend, Will Hewitt), Jaclyn Freund (boyfriend, Logan Scharf), Damon Freund, Isabella Freund, and Vivian Freund; her brother, Charles (Verena) Groeschel of New Holstein. She is further survived by other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Vern; her parents, Louis & Elsie Groeschel; and Elsie's second husband, Ervin Nadler.

Funeral Services will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at the Sippel Funeral Home 2618 Altona Avenue, New Holstein, WI 53061. Joe Zenk will preside. Kathy will be laid to rest next to her husband, Vern, in the Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation: Family and friends may visit with Kathy's family at the Sippel Funeral Home on Tuesday, December 26th from 2:30 PM until 5:45 PM.

Kathy's family expresses their sincere appreciation to Rocky Knoll Healthcare staff and Tender Hearts staff for providing the wonderful care to her when she no longer could.

For further details please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net.