Madison-Kathleen Marie Kaap, age 65, passed away peacefully at home on June 29, 2011, after a long illness. Kathy was born July 2, 1945 in Lancaster, WI, and grew up with an adventurous fun loving spirit and much cherished memories of country life on a farm near Fennimore. Her formal education began in a one room school, Roger Hollow near Fennimore. She graduated in 1963 from Fennimore High School, where she became interested in music and drama. She went on to the University of WI, Eau Claire, where she spent her junior year studying French in Dijon, France, and where she later received her undergraduate degree in French and in Theater and Drama.
After several years teaching French and drama in rural Wisconsin high schools, her love of the performing arts brought Kathy to the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she received her Masters of Fine Arts in Theater and Drama in 1977. Kathy found comfort and joy in her talent as a pianist, whether playing for herself or family & friends. She loved teaching children and beginners how to play and wrote two compositions of her own. She became immersed in the city's culture, politics, and sports and made Madison her home from that time on. Kathy loved showing her guests the most beautiful, interesting, or best food in the city she loved, just one of many well chosen heartfelt gifts she showered on her family, friends, and neighbors. Kathy's generous nature and trusting heart filled her life with rich experiences. Her passion, creativity, and generosity will be dearly missed by all whose lives she touched.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Karl and Helen Teply Kaap. She is survived by her partner of 35 years, Bert Rogers, of Madison; her brother Keith Kaap, Westby, WI; and Karolyn Zimmerman, Klamath Falls, OR; and by 2 nephews, Dustin Kaap, Rockford, IL and Zachary Zimmerman, Klamath Falls, OR and their families. Kathy has been cremated as she wished. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Cress Funeral Home, 6021 University Avenue, Madison, with burial following at Forest Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Kathy's family wishes to thank Hospice Care of Madison and the UW-Hospital system for all they did for Kathy to lengthen her stay with us and make her more comfortable. Anyone wishing to contribute a donation in Kathy's name may contact Hospice Care Inc., 4294 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison,
608/327-7180, or go to https://www.hospicecareinc.com/donation.html
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