Kathryn A. Lodes; The world lost a fiercely determined, strong and loving wife, mother and grandmother with the passing of Kathryn (Kathy) Lodes, age 70, on Thursday, May 18, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac. The former Kathy Gottinger was born in Milwaukee on Jan. 7, 1947, to the late John and Isabelle Gottinger. After living for a few years in the Cedarburg area, Kathy spent her formative years in Fond du Lac, graduating with the Class of 1965 from Goodrich High School. After attending the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh for one year, Kathy began working as a bank teller at National Exchange Bank & Trust in Fond du Lac. That was the start of her 30+-year career in banking that included a long tenure at M&I Bank in New Holstein where she developed a following of loyal customers who appreciated her quick smile, genuine interest in them and their lives and pride in a job well done. Following her career at M&I Bank, Kathy managed the payroll for the New Holstein School District and later was a customer service representative at Humana. Kathy's genuine interest in people and pride in a job well done also came into play in her home life. More than anything, her calling in life was to be a wife and mother. She met the love of her life at the Marytown Picnic, saying she knew the night she met Michael Lodes that she would marry him, and she did just that on Aug. 9, 1969. Family always came first with Kathy, and she was her children's unwavering supporter and cheerleader, teaching them they could accomplish anything they set their minds to and encouraging them to honor their individuality. For Kathy, that meant being a homebody; she was never happier than when she was cooking spaghetti or doling out homemade popsicles to half the kids in the neighborhood who played at her house. The legacy Kathy started with her children continued with the full attention and love she showered on her beloved grandson, Hudson. She was fortunate to experience one of her most cherished life experiences with him, serving as his caregiver until she was diagnosed with cancer in 2006. Hudson was a driving force in Kathy's determination to beat the cancer so she could continue to be a powerful presence in his life. The two of them had an especially strong bond, fortified by lots of belly laughs and unconditional love. Those who knew her know Kathy made a mean apple kuchen, and enjoyed watching B-movies (especially horror and sci-fi movies); reading thrillers (especially Stephen King); listening to Fleetwood Mac, Heart, Def Leppard and classic rock; knitting scarves, mittens and sweaters for loved ones; going out on the boat and reading while Mike fished alongside her; shooting Nerf guns with her grandson; enjoying black licorice and Cherry Pepsi (with ice) with a good book; and laughing at elephant jokes. She was always the one to bring the monster-sized fruit salad to family gatherings, complete with de-seeded watermelon in it. To her, deseeding watermelon, ironing clothes and making homemade spaghetti sauce or applesauce were simply labors of love she reveled in doing as ways to show how much she cared. She was particularly proud of her children's accomplishments, and was the first to share an anecdote about them or her grandson at the doctor's office or grocery store. Kathy is survived by her husband of 47 years, Michael; daughter, Mariann (Lisa) Lessard; daughter Lori Kaye Lodes; son Jeff (Jamie) Lodes; grandson, Hudson Albers; and granddogs Bella, Angel and CeCe. She is further survived by her brother, Mark (Ellen) Gottinger; sister, Nancy (Greg) Borst; brother-in-law Richard (Judy) Lodes; sister-in-law-at-heart, Mary Lodes; and several special nieces and nephews. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, John and Isabelle Gottinger; father-in-law, George Lodes; mother-in-law, Lucille Lodes; and brother-in-law, David Lodes. The family will celebrate Kathy's life with a memorial/visitation on Thursday, May 25, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sippel Funeral Home, 2618 Altona Avenue, New Holstein, WI 53061; followed by a reception/light meal at the funeral home. The family wishes to extend its gratitude to the staff at St. Agnes Hospital, particularly the doctors and nurses in the ICU and the palliative care team. If Roses Grow In Heaven If roses grow in heaven Lord, please pick a bunch for me, Place them in my mother's arms And tell her they're from me. Tell that I love her and miss her, And when she turns to smile, Place a kiss upon her cheek And hold her for a while. Because remembering is easy, I do it every day, But there's an ache within my heart That will never go away.