Obituaries
Kathy A Kleinhans
Nov. 14, 1951 - Aug. 16, 2025 - Pound, WI
Funeral Service
Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025
12:00 pm
1702 Van Buren St.
New Holstein, WI 53061
Funeral Visitation
Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025
9:00 am - 11:45 am
1702 Van Buren St.
New Holstein, WI 53061
Kathy A Kleinhans
Pound WI
On August 16, 2025, Kathy Kleinhans (Kratzke) joyfully entered Heaven to meet her Lord. She was born on November 14, 1951 to Wilbern and Phyllis, the oldest of seven children. She grew up in Chilton and was a proud Tiger.
On May 8, 1971, she married Robert (Bob) Kleinhans and together they built a life filled with adventure, laughter, chaos and love. Raising five children in a loving home, Kathy balanced family, work, and education—earning both an associate and bachelor’s degree while never missing her kids’ concerts, competitions, and school events. She was the heart of the family, keeping everything moving with her boundless energy and that famous family calendar.
Kathy’s joy grew even greater when she became “Grandma” to ten wonderful grandsons. She treasured every card game, school program, boat ride, UTV trip, and holiday with them. Each Christmas, she taught them the importance of giving by donating in their names to families in need. Her generosity, empathy, and love for others were always at the center of who she was.
She was fun-loving and full of life. Whether it was music festivals, campouts, bus trips, or big family parties, Kathy brought joy and laughter wherever she went. She and Bob traveled widely—from the U.S. to New Zealand, Ireland, and Nova Scotia—and after retirement, split time between their lake home at White Potato Lake and winters in Texas. At the lake she found joy in boating, UTV rides, Green Bay Packers games, and the camaraderie of friends, family and neighbors.
Kathy’s life was defined by faith, family, kindness and love. As God commanded and she lived, she loved and honored her parents, husband, and neighbor. If she entered a room where she didn’t know someone, they were quickly a new friend.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice, in honor of Kathy’s giving spirit.
Kathy was a deeply loved daughter, sister, cousin, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She is survived by her husband of 54 years Bob Kleinhans, her children Kevin Kleinhans, Kari Jo (Martin) Grant, Sara Ann (Matt) Suwalski, Heidi Lou (James) Radish, and Eric (Patty) Kleinhans, her grandchildren Aidan, George, Brycen, Stuart, Logan, Blake, Gavin, William, Braden and Owen, her siblings Steve (Kris) Kratzke, Neal Kratzke, Karlene (Ken) Ditter, David (Sandy) Kratzke, Dan (Gail) Kratzke, and Paul (Natalie) Kratzke, her siblings-in-law Chuck (Sue) Kleinhans, Jan (Pat) Bailey, Mary (Joe) Kiefer, Joe (Ann) Kleinhans, Jim (Mary) Kleinhans, John (Wendy) Kleinhans, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 PM, on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church (1702 Van Buren St.) in New Holstein. A time of visitation will be held at church from 9 AM until 11:45 AM. At the time of service and following there will be a link available above for those wishing to watch a live stream or archived recording of the service, view a memorial video, or see pictures of the flowers and gifts given to the family.
Condolences
Our deepest condolences to the entire family. We were honored to have known and been friends with Kathy and Bob. We are so glad that the two of them were able to visit us in Texas last fall. The world lost a great person, but Heaven gained one! Til we meet again Kathy, rest in peace.
Steve and Sam Lesniewski (Friend) 2025-09-04 13:11:21
Condolences and hugs to all of you
Marcia Moon (Friend ) 2025-08-28 21:12:59
I am so sorry to hear of Kathy passing, may she rest in God's arms..God Bless to all your family..
Mary Criter (friend of family) 2025-08-26 14:11:32
Very very special person. Had lots a great memories interacting with Kathy. She was special to me.
Mary Parker Geier (Classmate and friend) 2025-08-25 18:52:11
Kathy fought the good fight! She was ready for the Lord's open hands to greet her. Condolences to you and your family. She will be missed by many.
Bonnie Grossenbach (Zion WIM) 2025-08-24 16:00:10
Kathy and I went to Chilton High School together. We shared many good times together. The last few years, I was able to talk to Bob and Kathy when they were on their ATV rides. Always nice to visit with them.
Deanna Farley (Attended high school together) 2025-08-23 08:23:26
Kathy and I went to Chilton High School together. We shared many good times together. The last few years, I was able to talk to Bob and Kathy when they were on their ATV rides. Always nice to visit with them.
Deanna Farley (Attended high school together) 2025-08-23 07:57:47
Bob & family our condolences to all of you. Since you moved we haven't seen as much of you but know our hearts go out to you. She will be sadly missed.
Larry & Shirley Schneider (Friends ) 2025-08-22 21:36:17
Our condolences go out to you and your family. Kathy was a very special lady and brought joy to everyone.
Sandy and Tom Mischler (Friend) 2025-08-22 14:24:08
DEAR BOB AND FAMILY-MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU ALL. I DIDN'T KNOW KATY FOR LONG BUT I TREASURE THOSE MEMORIES, SHE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST TO WELCOME ME TO ZION, I DIDN'T KNOW SHE HAD BEEN SO ILL. DIDN'T HEAR MUCH AFTER YOU MOVED AWAY. GOD HAS GAINED ONE OF THE BEST FOR AN ANGEL, HUGS TO YOU ALL.
LORRAINE MATTHEISEN (FRIEND) 2025-08-22 00:01:14
Awesome lady, friend, just a wonderful person! She will be missed by all!
Morris Fagg (Classmate- friend) 2025-08-20 23:17:05
Awesome lady, friend, just a wonderful person! She will be missed by all!
Morris Fagg (Classmate- friend) 2025-08-20 23:13:45
Dear Bob, Thinking of you and your family. May your hearts feel the tender nearness of God, the caring love of friends and the cherished comfort of memories. Praying for comfort in your loss, strength when the days are long and God‘s faithful love to bring peace to your hearts. “ He will carry the lambs in His arms holding them close to His heart.” Isaiah 40:11. I have many fond memories of Kathy. Her smiling face and contagious laugh. All the Bible studies we shared, prayers we shared together, working on Operations Christmas Child, Women In Mission,rummage sales, cookie walks, Women’s Days etc. One year we drew each other‘s names for “Secret Pals” and that Easter I gave Kathy an Easter egg angel pin and I received the same pin from my secret pal, but we didn’t find out until Christmas that we drew each other’s names. Kathy said “ great minds think alike”. Your wife, mom, grandma and sister was a wonderful Christian woman. She will be missed by many. “The Lord is near to the broken hearted” Psalm 34:18
Jan Schenck (Friend) 2025-08-20 22:20:23
Our sincere condolences to the Kleinhans family. Prayers and thoughts with you Bob.
Jerry Ott (Friend) 2025-08-20 17:35:33
Dear Bob & Family: My deepest sympathies to you all. I lost Gary in June & know how difficult these times are, but firmly believe they both are safe at home in the arms of our Lord & Savior. May God grant you all His peace! Bonnie Campbell ??
Bonnie Campbell (Friend) 2025-08-19 22:48:14
Bob and Heidi and families. Heaven has gained another angel. I so enjoyed meeting you two in TX and enjoyed our visits and fun times. God bless you all with peace and memories. I want to wish my deepest sympathy to all of you and family. She surely was a fun kind friendly person whom I got to know and love. Hugs and blessings
Dottie Myers (friend) 2025-08-19 22:08:44
I am so sad at the loss of such an awesome friend. My thought and Prayers are with you at such a difficult time in your lives. May you find peace with knowing she is in our Lords loving hands. .. ????...
Jeanne Klotz & Chuck Niquette (Friends) 2025-08-19 21:28:50
Dear Bob, Deepest sympathies to you and your family. What a fight she fought. Showing strength and trust in God’s will is a great testimony to who she was. I loved the time we shared in Crivitz watching Packers , meat raffles and playing dice and cards. Lots of laughs were shared. Big hugs to you and I pray for God’s strength in this time of sadness. Love, Beth
Beth Hettwer (Frind) 2025-08-19 21:20:38
Our condolences to Bob and family. We’re sorry Kathy has endured so much pain and discomfort this year. She is in a much better place peacefully in heaven. She and Bob have been very good friends and neighbors.
Barb and Bob Wittmann (WPL friends and neighbors ) 2025-08-19 20:48:21
Bob & family my condolences to you all.i met you 2 in Wisconsin and we became friends.she will be missed by so many..she was a beautiful woman inside & out... Bonnie & Pete Zeman
Bonnie Zeman (Friend) 2025-08-19 15:22:06
Kathy and I have been friends for many years. I was shocked to see she had passed. My condolences to Bob and the rest of the family!
Deanna Farley (Attended high school together) 2025-08-19 14:58:01
Bob and family,so sorry to hear of Kathy's passing.what a sweetheart she was.didnt seen much of her since you moved,but when we did had to catch up on alot,friend way back in the day.our prayers are with you all.
Gene,Colleen Enneper (Friend of family) 2025-08-19 11:00:51
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. The short time I knew Kathy she made a deep imprint on my heart. Her strong faith for our Lord was inspirational. Dear Lord please give my friend your welcoming embrace and comfort her family.
Mark and Paula Dembroski (Friends from Trinity Coleman ) 2025-08-19 10:45:26
So sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. Heaven earned another angel. We enjoyed getting to know her and Bob up at WPL. Prayers to her family. May the memories they created be a comfort during this difficult time.
Marcy and Al Heimod (Friend ) 2025-08-19 09:55:04
Bob, so sorry to hear of Kathy's passing..didn't see you two much over the years, but when we did it was as if the years never separated us. You & your family are in our prayers
Barb & Ken Schmitz (Friends) 2025-08-19 09:32:15
So sorry for your families loss. Our thoughts and prayers.????
Lynn Sac (Friend) 2025-08-19 08:40:00
I am so sorry to read of Kathy's passing. She (actually you both) was such an incredible influence on Eric's teammates especially our Marc! I cherish the hours I got to spend with her at matches/tournaments. She had such a warm spot for all the kids & then she could be tough with them if it was needed. Beautiful tribute to your mom Heidi. She left an amazing legacy for the entire Kleinhans family. Deepest sympathies
Linda Stephanie (Wrestling family friend ) 2025-08-19 07:51:44
So sorry to hear she was a friend from high school.. prayers to the family.
Rose M Heimerl (friend) 2025-08-19 07:17:47
Bob and Family, Special thoughts are with you during this difficult. Kathy's smile always lit up the room and it was great to have known her. Thoughts of our pleasant time together at the class reunion last year will always remain with me. Cherish all the memories of your life together. With sympathy, Diane Mikonowicz
Diane Mikonowicz (Classmate - Friend) 2025-08-19 05:57:37
My heartfelt sympathy to the Kleinhaus family. Always liked running into Kathy, she was always so positive and had warm smile to share. You could always tell she cared.
Deb Stebane (Friend) 2025-08-19 04:34:38
Bob, We are so sorry to hear about Kathy. We knew she had been ill but have not seen the two of you in over a year and did not know how things were progressing. She was a beauty of a person in every way and both of you deserved each other. Share the good memories and we wish you well.
Gary and Joan Lemke (friend) 2025-08-18 21:13:30
It was such a pleasure to know such a kind and caring person that she was.It is with so much pain that we feel as well as everyone that knew her and Bob to see her passing. God bless the family.
John VanDenElzen (Friend ) 2025-08-18 19:14:16
Bob I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Kathy. We did not see each other other a lot but always talked when we seen each other. Very very nice person. Hugs to you and all ur family
Sandy Dietz (Class mate and friends ) 2025-08-18 18:51:23
Bob and Family. So sorry to hear of Kathy's passing...I so enjoyed seeing and chatting with her up north. She was such a lovely person and will be deeply missed. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time...Hugs!!
Cassie McKone (Freind ) 2025-08-18 18:21:56
You have our condolences on the passing of Kathy. God Bless you and your family! We remember the pie eating contests in Potter that Kathty was in charge of for kids who had a great time!
Rob Cummings (Worked with Bob) 2025-08-18 18:06:19
I am so sorry for the entire family's loss of such a great woman she always had a smile on her face and her laugh just lightened up the entire room I was also so sorry to hear of her Long hospital stay but she is no longer suffering and she will be looking down on us all and smiling and laughing at all of us now without pain again please accept my condolences
Jennifer Diederichs (Neighbor) 2025-08-18 17:26:50
Bob and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. You have my heartfelt condolences.
Kathy Burg (Friend ) 2025-08-18 16:27:47
Bob and family, I am so sorry...my heart broke when I saw Kathy's obituary. I feel so privileged to have spent time with her at our last class reunion. I have so many wonderful memories of Kathy and the wonderful, caring person she was. I'm hoping your treasured memories of her will help you through this very challenging time.
Mary Kay Hein (Friend) 2025-08-18 15:22:57
Our condolences to the whole family. we sure are going to miss her our card games will never be the same and Texas will not be as much fun. rest in peace my dear friend you hace suffered enough. God only takes rge best
Ralph and Judi Brill (old friends) 2025-08-18 15:21:51
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