Kathleen A. Krug

On Monday, November 12, 2018 at 5:28 PM, the world lost one of the strongest, feistiest, sassiest women to have lived. Kathleen Ann Krug (Kathy, or Chuckie, to many) of Appleton, WI, took her last breath and went with the Lord…peacefully and on her own terms.

Born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on December 10, 1932 to Robert and Bernice Krug, Kathy was a force to be reckoned with. The youngest of five siblings, she spent her youth living on Lake Winnebago and loving every minute of it. Her fondest memories are of enjoying all the things that Lake Winnebago provided: swimming ALL the time in the summer; ice boating with the Haase family; playing hockey with all the neighborhood boys.

Kathy graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 1950. She then began her career at Wisconsin Telephone, a job that she would revisit a few times throughout her life. In 1951, she moved to Florida during the winter months and worked in sales and would come back to enjoy the Wisconsin summers and work at the phone company. What a great gig! In the mid 50’s, she moved to Santa Monica, California and worked for General Telephone. 1961 brought her back to her ‘homeland’ – Wisconsin – and back to Wisconsin Telephone Company. In 1966, she moved onto a job at the Banta Corporation in Menasha, WI – the good old days when companies allowed their employees to hitch a ride on the corporate jet when there was an empty seat. Trips to New York and New Orleans and San Francisco were among the journeys she was able to take.

In 1977, she went back to Wisconsin Telephone until 1980. She then moved to West Palm Beach, FL and worked for Southern Bell Telephone where she retired in 1985. After Wisconsin, Florida was her favorite place to be. The sun, the sand, the surf and the beautiful weather all suited her to a T! Prior to moving back to Wisconsin, she also resided in Ellijay, Georgia for a span of time where she made many good friends and loved life in the foothills.

Kathy loved estate sales; was an avid news hound and would read the paper from front to back every day; she was a true Wisconsin sports fan - Badgers, Brewers and of course, her beloved Green Bay Packers! She had a whole room dedicated to the Green and Gold. She followed them religiously since her youth and was with them through thick and thin. She went to away games; she went to home games; she loved the tailgate parties; she would never miss watching a game and she was at the 2011 Super Bowl in Dallas, Texas and brought home the win! She was friends with many of the 1965 Championship team and staff and had so many fond memories of the ‘glory days.’ Her favorite Packer – the one and only, Brett Favre…who was with her as she finished her journey here on Earth.

She also loved Flanagan’s Pearl Lake Resort in Redgranite, Wisconsin where she had a permanent trailer from the late 60s to late 70s…many a good time was had by the campfire!

Kathy was a fervent animal lover…all creatures, great and small. Her beloved cats, throughout her years, were the loves of her life – Purquoi, Mr. Balls, KeKe, and Ms. Favre. She enjoyed keeping her bird feeders full at her apartment complex and especially loved feeding the bunnies and ducks and geese that would congregate outside her patio – they brought her so much joy in her later years!

Kathy also gave back…she was a volunteer at Homeward Bound Pet Rescue in Ellijay, Georgia and during EAA she assisted the Fox Cities Convention Bureau. She was always the life of the party, she loved to laugh and joke, as anyone who knows her would tell you! Her heart was always open and she loved talking to any and all. She never got old and she never wanted to leave this earth. Those left behind are saddened by the exit of this true force of nature to be reckoned with!

Kathy is survived by her son, David Draper of Brighton, Massachusetts; her granddaughter, Bettina of New York, NY; her grandson, Ford of Belmont, Massachusetts; nieces, Angie (Ken) Prull of Fond du lac, WI (and great grandnephews, Cashton and Noah, of Luck, Wisconsin); Lois Stranckmeyer of Appleton (and grandniece, Amy, of Brandon); Kimberly Caston of Appleton; Scott (Esther) Scharfenberg of Fond du Lac; Katherine (Kevin) Carter of Pickett; Barbara (Marc) Gagne of Madison (and grandniece, Madeline and grandnephew, Ben). She also leaves behind so many wonderful friends and neighbors that loved her and truly cared about her. She was a gift to all.

Kathy was preceded in death by parents, Robert and Bernice (Miller) Krug; her four siblings, Betty (Jack) Strankmeyer, Melvin “Bud” (Marge) Krug, Donna Dunn, and Marion (Zeke) Scharfenberg; and many other relatives and friends. Right before Kathy passed, she opened her brilliant, blue eyes…and smiled…while looking past those in the room with her. We are sure, her deceased family members were there, holding her hand to take her home.

In lieu of flowers, Kathy has requested that donations be made to the Oshkosh Humane Society (www.oahs.org) and Homeward Bound Pet Rescue (www.hbpr.org), Ellijay, Georgia. Internment will be in Estabrooks Cemetery in Fond du lac, WI on Friday, November 30, 2018 at 11:00 AM with a life celebration to follow at Schmitty’s Oar House…on the shores of Lake Winnebago.

Her family would like to thank the amazing staff at AMC /Theda Care…especially her Dream Team – the Seal Team 6 – the crème de le crème of ICU nurses: John (the last boyfriend in her life); Briana, Sara, Joni, Beth and Richard. Without this collection of amazing souls, we do not know how we would be able to go on…your true love and care of Kathy was above and beyond and for that, we are forever grateful. You truly are the angels that walk among us!

Though our hearts ache, we know that Kathy is home. She did not want to leave right now, but God had a different plan for her. After she had her heart attack on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, Election Day - she drove herself to the hospital…because she wanted to ‘get in and out of there’ to vote before 8 pm. That is strength…that is determination…that is who Kathy was. Now, it’s time to fly little bird…fly!



THE PRAYER

I pray you’ll be our eyes

And watch us where we go

And help us to be wise…in times that we don’t know

Let this be our prayer

As we go our way

Lead us to a place

Guide us with your Grace