RaeJean Kaatz
RaeJean Kaatz, 80, of Dorchester, passed away on February 7, 2023, at Cambridge Senior Center under the tender care of Moments Hospice in Hudson.
A visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford. A funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Curtiss on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, at 11 a.m. with a visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service. A live stream will be available for those unable to attend on the Maurina Schilling Funeral Home Facebook page or after the service anytime on Facebook or the website.
RaeJean was born on June 16, 1942, the daughter of Juanita (Schultz) and Raymond Nowak in Wausau. She was adopted by Donald Leichtnam after the marriage to Red. She grew up in the Edgar area and was united in marriage to Allan Kaatz on April 4, 1959. He preceded her in death on April 2, 2020.
Raejean and Allan moved several times over the years, starting with a farm and bread route in Fremont, moving to Ogdensburg with Allan starting his milk hauling business, then to Curtiss and finally Dorchester.
RaeJean was a great wife, mother and grandmother. She was proud of her children and especially loved being a grandma to Amanda (Gabe) Holl, Justin (Andrea) Ropella, Bradley (Brittany) Kaatz, Felicia (Charlie)Kaatz,SamLehman,LeRoy(Cari) Lehman, Rosanna Lehman, Samantha (Matt) Knute, Lindsey (Corey) Verbeke, Rachel (Zach) Kaatz, Aaron (Chase) Kaatz; and great-grandma to Cael and Ashton Lehman, Caleb DeMaio, Charlie, Andi and Finley Kaatz and Easton Knute and soon to be a new great-grandchild this April. RaeJean was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Curtiss and was a faithful member. She enjoyed traveling, playing bingo, putting puzzles together, reading, playing cards with family and friends and watching television, especially watching westerns and Hallmark channel.
RaeJean is survived by her daughter, Jayne (Bob) Ropella, Inver Grover Heights, Minn., son, Jeff (Barb), Fremont, daughter, Jody (Jim) Verbeke, Shakopee, Minn., son, Jamie (Jenny), Dorchester and daughter, Krista (Keith) Waters, Savage, Minn. Also survived by brothers: Donald (Shirley) Leichtnam, Rick (Debbie) Nowak and Rodney Nowak; sisters: Nancy (August) Neider and Lori Holtzheimer; along with several cousins, nieces, nephews and many great friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Juanita (Red) & Donald Leichtnam and Raymond Nowak; her husband, Allan; twin grandsons, Joshua and Bryant Verbeke, and brother, Randy Nowak.
Friends may send online condolences to www. maurinaschillingfuneralhome.com.
Paid obituary 132289
