Kathleen Schulte

Kathleen M. Schulte, 96, of Waukon, IA, died Sunday, October 6, 2019, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 10th, at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Wednesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon and from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the church on Thursday.

Kathleen Marie Schulte was born March 12, 1923, in Platteville, WI, the daughter of Joe and Laura (Linden) Wunderlin. She grew up in Platteville and graduated from Platteville High School and then from Platteville Normal School with her teaching certificate. Kathleen taught in rural schools in Wisconsin until WWII began and then moved to Chicago to work in the office of an aircraft plant; she returned home to Platteville once the war ended. On June 27, 1946, Kathleen married Joseph H. Schulte at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Platteville. Kathleen and Joe lived in Dorchester, IA, for many years, where she taught school and worked at the Post Office as a postmaster. In 1976, their daughter Barb and her husband, Jerome, died in a plane crash. Kathleen and Joe then moved to Waukon, IA, to raise their grandson Jeffrey.

Because of Jeffrey, Kathleen became an advocate for the handicapped and worked on getting housing started for Martin Luther/MOSAIC in Waukon; she was also a TASC board member. She was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dorchester and held officer positions in the rosary society, taught catechism, and was the church historian. As a current member of St. Patrick's, Kathleen was involved with the church circles as well. She enjoyed sewing and was a great cook. Most of all, Kathleen was a caring woman who loved lending a helping hand to those that needed it and made sure everyone in Dorchester was taken care of.

She is survived by her children: Theresa (Ron) Wessels of Onalaska, WI, Ron (Susan) Schulte of Muscatine, IA, Jerry (Sue) Schulte of Waukon, Karen Schulte Schmitz of Onalaska, WI, and Sheila Schulte of Waukon; grandchildren: Kristin Locketz, Suzy Wessels, Jeff Kruse, Mallory (John) Moffitt, Hilary Schulte, Briana (Bernie) Stumbo, Dylan (Danielle) Schulte, Manda (Jonathan) Goldsberry, Ryan (Mystie) Schmitz, Morgan (Justin) Mescher, and Dustin (Melissa) Kirkeby; 14 great-grandchildren; a sister Doris Kitto of Platteville, WI; two brothers: Mark Wunderlin of Roscommon, MI, and Wayne (Chris) Wunderlin of Saukville, WI; brother-in-law Frank (Rita) Schulte of Dorchester; sister-in-law Carol Wunderlin of Platteville, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents; husband Joe in 1997; daughter Barbara (Jerome) Kruse; six brothers: Cletus (Lucille), Donald, David (Helen), Lawrence, Stan, and Ray (Carol) Wunderlin; a sister-in-law Marlene Wunderlin; and brothers-in-law Dale Lefler and Don Kitto.

Kathleen's grandchildren will serve as casketbearers.