Kathleen Marie Kaiser, 75, of Mendota IL, passed away, Monday July 29, 2024, at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center Rockford IL surrounded by her family.

A visitation will be Monday August 5, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by a memorial service. Both being held at Immanuel Lutheran Church Compton, IL with Rev. Jeff Schlesinger officiating. Private Burial will be in Restland Cemetery at a later date. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is assisting the family.

Kathleen was born June 9, 1949, in La Crosse, WI., to Harold and Darlyene (Nienast) Topel. She married Duane Kaiser on February 15, 1969 in La Crosse. They enjoyed parenting their son Daniel and their daughter Rebecca Jean.,

Kathleen was a graduate of Logan High School, La Crosse WI. She was born to be a caretaker of all things living, plants, animals, children; often found caring for her younger siblings and neighborhood children growing up and caring for the elderly in her later years. After High School, to pursue her dream of caring for others she went to nursing school at La Crosse Lutheran Hospital, now Gunderson Medical Center, graduating as a Licensed Practical Nurse. During High School & College summer breaks, she traveled to IL to visit and then care for her Aunt Rita. During one of her visits, she met and fell in love with Duane Kaiser. Kathleen shared Duane's joy of animals and farming; filling the role of farmwife, homemaker and was often found beside him caring for animals, working the ground, walking beans, hauling in crops to harvest, butchering, gardening and canning.  Together they also shared the affection for Dalmatian Dogs. She loved to bake and was well known for her chocolate chip cookies; she could often be found at the local fairs competing in many categories for baking, canning, and yarn work. Years after the children were in High School and Daniel was old enough to farm beside Duane, she returned to nursing fulfilling her love of Geriatric Nursing at the Mendota Lutheran Home and Perry Memorial Hospital for 18 years until her retirement. After retirement, her favorite new role became Grandma Manga to Jacob & Kevin teaching them her love of animals, cards and board games.

When she wasn't working in the garden or kitchen, she could be found having tea with her best friend Pattye, visiting with her sisters, playing cards, crocheting, or reading.  She loved all things Wizard of Oz & Disney. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Compton IL, serving in Sunday School, Choir and Altar Committee.

Kathleen is survived by her son Daniel (Nicole) Kaiser of Mendota; her daughter Rebecca Jean (Marc) Bond of Mendota; her sister Debby (Tom) Yeldell of Owasso, OK; her sister Becky Wapp (Tom) Sawyer of Dresbach, MN;, her sister-in-law Margaret Ann (Dwight) Frick of Mendota; two grandsons Jacob Swope and Kevin Swope, many nieces and nephews and their families along with many other close relatives and friends. She will be greatly missed by all.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Duane, sisters Mary, Tamie Topel, and Margaret Manecke, brother David Topel and brothers-in-law David Wapp and Wes Blackwell.

Memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the family.