Kathleen Kay "Katie" Hovland-Frisch, of Deerbrook, died Monday, March 25, 2013 at her home under the care of her family and LeRoyer Hospice. She was 66 years old. She was born on December 14, 1946 in Menomonie, a daughter of the late Henry and Lillian (Smith) Hovland. She married David Frisch on August 22, 1981 at the Frisch family home. He survives.
She attended Wheeler Grade School and graduated from Boyceville High School in 1965. She received a Bachelors Degree in Botany from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire and a Masters Degree in Forestry from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point.
She was a physical education teacher in the Elmwood area schools from 1969 until 1973. In 1980 she became the Natural Resource Agent for Forest County. She also worked on the family mink ranch. In 1992 she became the Langlade County Emergency Management Director, retiring in 2011.
She was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church serving on the church council and as treasurer for many years. She was a member of the library board of trustees, the Antigo Community Theater Association and the Antigo Music Association. She served as the town of Peck clerk for 23 years.
She enjoyed musical theater, reading mystery novels and feeding and watching the birds, she was particularly passionate about humming birds. She also enjoyed spending time at her vacation home in Harrison Hills, sitting on the deck reading or just watching and listening to nature.
In addition to her husband survivors include a daughter, Karen Frisch of Madison; a sister, Mildred (Richard) Windsor of Wheeler; a brother, Duane (Verlene) Hovland of Menomonie; and a sister-in-law, Lucille Hovland of Texas.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two brothers, Lester and H. Edwin Hovland.
A funeral service will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church with Rev. John Czarnota officiating. Visitation will be Sunday from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Bradley Funeral Home. Visitation Monday will also take place at the funeral home from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. with a procession from the funeral home to the church for the 11 a.m. funeral service.
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Antigo, WI 54409
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Antigo, Wisconsin 54409
I am on ancestry and going over different family trees and saw this obituary. Kathy sounds like a wonderful woman, I'm sorry for your loss. Her mother, Lillian, was the half sister of my grandmother, Mary Smith Roguski. I went to the reunion in the 80's . Again, she sounds like a wonderful person!
My aunt Kathy was always the funny Aunt. My Dad called her Cookie, that always cracked me up. I always looked forward to our visits as she had that Scandinavian way of kind of singing her sentences and always made me laugh and smile. The night that Aunt Kathy passed I didn't know yet but I was at home going through some old letters and I found one she wrote about my Dad, Edwin, back when he had passed away. I enjoyed reading all of her memories and thoughts about my Dad and it reminded me of the good times we all had on Grandma's and Grandpa's farm, the Christmases, even the lutefisk and just many fun times sharing stories about all the animals and woods and everything we loved about Wisconsin. I'll miss my Aunt Kathy. She was also my godmother and she was very special to me. See you in Valhalla!
Love,
Your Nephew and godson Eric.
First of all I would lik to send my condlences the family. I am sorry to hear about your loss. Then I would like to say that Katie was a very,very kind woman that loved the Lord. I feel honored to have gotten to meet her and sing with her in the choir!!! She will be missed by a lot of people!!!!
Kathy with first niece Patti @ baptism 1959
As the sun was setting at Kate and Dave's anniversary party a couple summers ago, Kate said I looked cold and that I should dance with her. And dance we did! Karen, I'm so glad we're friends. Thanks for introducing me to your awesome parents and letting me tag along to the theater with you all those times. My mental image of Kate will always be her in her regal green dress.
Dave, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I wish We could be with you but we have prior commitments. I was very surprised as I read the EC leader telegram this morning. We will be with you in our thoughts and prayers. Mark and Nola
Dear Dave, Karen, Millie, Duane, my deepest Sympathy to you all on the passing of your wife,
Mother, sister. We know Kathy is in a wonderful place where there is no pain. She was a wonderful sister-in-law, many fond memories through the many years I have known her.
Sent with Love to you ALL. Lucille Hovland
I graduated from Boyceville High with Kathy in 1965. She always had a smile for everyone and was a very friendly person. I have many fond memories of Kathy from band, the Teen Stop, and other school related activities. My condolences to her family.
A beautiful day for a beautiful couple, 1981
Kathy_ Elementary School Pic
Skὃl! Good Norwegians enjoying a good round of Cheers! Mom, Great Niece Rachel, Kathleen, Husband David, Niece Patti, Great Niece Elizabeth, Nephew-in-Law Eddie, 2010
Verlene helps Kathy get into character for 2010 musical
Sister Millie, Kathleen, Brother Duane
Kathy, Sister Millie, Mom, Aunts:Elvina, Lillie, Christina
Young Kathy with her mother Lillian
Dave and Karen, Thank you for welcoming our visit last week as Uncles Duane and Rich and Aunts Millie and Verlene hosted a drive from the family farm to Deerbrook with Rachel and me in tow. I am so thankful I was able to visit with my Aunt who to me was the closest I had to a big sister. When she was in high school I was in early elementary school; she would patiently color with me every time I came to visit the farm. She would take me hunting for kittens in the haymow; so much fun when we found a litter. She taught me how wonderful it was to squish my toes in a fresh cow pie on our walks to the creek as she described the flora and fauna of the acreage; she taught me that milkweeds make great kites in the wind with fairly like quality. My visits over the last 20 years from Kansas City to meet up at the family farm have been filled with great memories; laying out a pattern, cutting, sewing and fitting one of Karen's prom dresses; putting together family pictures to celebrate Grandma's 80th and 90th birthdays and fun conversations about musicals over washing dishes (do not put knives in her dishwater!). My favorite memory is when we both sported wigs to cover our bald as an eagle "chrome domes" and that she was willing to shed the wig to take a picture together as a memory of our shared experience. She was; and will continue to be, my inspiration. I will miss our emails. Her love for animals was demonstrated to my children and they will forever continue her passion. With Love to all who will feel her absence; Eddie, Elizabeth, Rachel and I will play a game of dominos this weekend in memory.
In my memories, Kathleen is 8-years old and we are playing on the farm, swimming in the river and taking mud baths after a rain. Her red hair, big smile, skinny legs and good heart are indelibly etched in my mind and make me smile every time I think of her. My condolences to her family, Duane and Mildred and her daughter. She will be missed, but lives forever in the memories of every life she touched in such a beautiful way.
Cousin Bonnie (Holum) Irwin
Katie will always hold a special place in my heart. We shared many great times on stage. There were many times she helped me gain strength through her wisdom, kind words and understanding. May you gain comfort in knowing Katie is once again breathing with ease, and is now playing her french horn, this time in the Heavenly Orchestra, and joyously singing with the Glorious Choir. She will be missed, but live on through wonderful memories.
My prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. I knew Kathy from school we were in the same class, the class of 65. Also I worked with her Mother and aunt at Sandy Lee's Mfg. for a few years. Kathy always had a smile and a Hi how are you every time she saw you.She will be missed. Hugs & Prayers Dawn R. Rogers
My Thoughts and Pryers go out to the family , Katie was a great person and always had a smile and was always looking out for the people in our community . she was loved and will be missed by all that ever came in contact with her .
Sorry to hear of your loss, our prayers are with you. Katie's smile will be missed by many.
A very kind and special woman. Although I didn't get to spend much time with her, the time I did spend showed that she was strong willed, ever helpful and very intelligent. She will be very missed.
Dear Dave and Karen, We know Katie through our mutual performances with ACT. Her kindness, energy and support were reflected in her relationship with us and in her performances. She was Bob's love interest in Playing the Palace and my fellow female tenor in the chorus. I was humbled to be her understudy in The Christmas Schooner. Her performance as the streetwise petty thief Rose would have earned her a Tony award. She could deliver a line with the best. She will be missed. She told me that leaving you both was the hardest thing she had ever done. Know that her love will always be yours. Love never ends.
Katie was a special colleague and friend. We shared laughter and tears. God's Blessing to you as you celebrate her life
Cousin Laurie took this picture at a Meidl reunion at the Eau Claire Dells. One of many, many happy times together. I'll miss cooking and playing dominoes together.
Prayers go out to Katie's family and all that knew her, such a wonderful lady. she did so much for the county EMS services, EMS will forever be changed for the better because of Katie, May God Bless her and help her loved ones at this sad time.
We will never forget the smiles and sunshine Katie brought into our lives at the Resource Center. She was always humming or singing. Such a remarkable lady!
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