Kathleen ‘Katie’ Hales
Kathleen “Katie” Mary Hales, 82, Granton, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, at the Marshfield Health Services Nursing Home – Marshfield. Funeral services for Katie were held at 11 a.m., on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at the Zion American Lutheran Church in Granton. Pastor Daniel Zimmerman officiated. Music was provided by Shelby Niskanen, organist. Interment was in the Windfall Cemetery in Granton.
Kathleen was the daughter of Roscoe and Iris (nee Gundlach) Biddick, born on Feb. 23, 1939, in Livingston. She was baptized in 1950 at Bashford Methodist Church in Madison and later reaffirmed her baptism at Zion American Lutheran Church in Granton in 1962. She received her education through the Madison school system, graduating from Madison East High School in 1957. She then attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and graduated in 1961. While participating in a freshman “social dance” class, she met the love of her life – Albert “Bert” Hales. They were united in marriage on Dec. 16, 1961, at Bashford Methodist Church. Kathleen taught school at Marshall Elementary. After the birth of her daughter, Grace, in 1963, Katie and Bert moved back to Granton to take over the family farm. She was a very devoted and loving wife and mother of five. Katie was an active member of Zion American Lutheran Church, Granton, and friend of York Center Methodist Church. She taught Sunday and Bible School for many years. She was involved with the Ladies Aid (W/ELCA) and held various positions. She helped serve many dinners and was on the 150th anniversary committee of the church. She was a member of the Granton FFA Alumni and New York Homemakers. In 1984, Katie became an “elf” working for Figis Gifts, Inc. She continued working there until June 2015. Katie, like her husband, enjoyed the simple things of life. She enjoyed cooking, baking, nature, listening to old country music, going to musicals, playing dominoes, card games, putting puzzles together, and being with her children and grandchildren and always putting others’ needs first before hers.
Survivors include her children: Grace (Clark Ritter) Hales of Plainfield, Jay Hales of Granton, Eileen (Iyron) Handke Jr.) Hales of Granton, Sonya (Ken) Brookhart of Granton, and Joel (Frankie Sides) Hales of New Bern, N.C.; her grandchildren: Josh (Gillian) Irwin of Plainfield, and Emma Mae Brookhart of Granton; her sister, Betty (Bob) Moore of Dousman; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bert, on Oct. 30, 2009; and her sisters-in-laws and brothers-inlaw.
Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.
Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Katie’s family with arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY 112402
