Kathleen Barfknecht

Kathleen Barfknecht, aged 72 of Menasha, passed away in the very early morning hours of Monday, January 25, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton. She was born on May 16, 1948, at Madison General Hospital in Madison, daughter of the late Gerald and Mary (nee Boyd) Barfknecht. Kathy wanted to be a teacher from a very young age.  She achieved her goal to be a Christian day school teacher after her graduation from Dr. Martin Luther College of New Ulm, Minnesota. Teaching in Lutheran schools was her lifelong work. She found great joy teaching her students about Jesus as well as other subjects in the curriculum.  Kathleen received her first call to Mason City, Iowa, where she taught all eight grades! Her next call was to Tempe, Arizona, where she was called to start a school for Emmanuel Lutheran Church. The last call Kathy received was to Riverview Lutheran School on Seymour Street in Appleton, where she taught for over thirty years, until her retirement. She was a very musical person who played clarinet, church organs in churches where she worshipped, and directed the Senior Choir at Riverview for many years. In her spare time, she loved to golf with her friends, and enjoyed settling in to read a good book(s). After her retirement, she got a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel whom she named Shelbie. She and Shelbie spent more than wonderful years together.

Kathleen was never married, but is survived by her sister: Candace Barfknecht-Moore; her niece Tami Lynn (David) Karelse and her great nieces and nephews, Evelyn, Brynnae, Aidan, Nicholas, and Amaris Karelse all who live in the Netherlands. She is further survived by her nephew: Brian (Annie nee Staerkel) Moore and her great nephews, Christian and Samuel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Mary (nee Boyd), and her grandparents.

Due to Covid concerns, the family has scheduled a small, private service for Kathy at Eternal Love Lutheran Church in Appleton.  The service will be streamed to Eternal Love’s YouTube page at 2 PM Sunday afternoon, January 31.

A memorial service celebrating Kathy’s life will be scheduled later in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, please send your memorial to the charity of your choice or to Eternal Love’s Youth Educational programs or to Riverview Teachers’ Wish List.

A sincere thank you to all who have offered support during Kathy’s illness and condolences since her passing.