Kathryn P. Seifert

WINDSOR, WIS. - Kathryn P. "Kathy" Seifert, age 82, passed away on January 11, 2024, at UW Hospital in Madison, Wis. She was born on August 6, 1941, in Madison, to Warren L. Seifert and Marie A. (Schwenn) Seifert. Kathy was a beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, partner, and friend.

Kathy grew up in the Schenk-Atwood neighborhood and attended Madison East High School, graduating with the class of ’59. She attended UW-Madison, receiving her teaching degree and was a teacher for the Sun Prairie School District. She returned to UW-Madison and received her master’s degree in social work in 1974. She worked as a Senior Social Worker for Dane County Human Services. First in child protective services, finishing the last few years in foster care licensing and consultation. She retired in 1999. Kathy was a fierce advocate for the families she worked with. She worked hard to make sure the kids in her care were safe and protected. Many of the children she worked with have stayed connected with her to this day.

Kathy was a lifelong member of Luther Memorial Church in Madison. Her faith and belief in God were especially important to her and this was reflected in how she lived her life. Kathy was highly active in the church, participating in the choir, playing in the recorder group, assisting with communion, attending the women’s retreats, serving on church council and so much more. As per her wishes she will be laid to rest in the Luther Memorial Columbarium.

Kathy was a very caring and generous person and spent her life helping other people. She took people into her home, lent people money, helped people find places to live or get a car, but most of all she offered her love and support to those who needed it the most. There are many people who would tell you that she literally changed their lives for the better.

The arts, especially music and the theater, were particularly important to Kathy. She shared this love with her children and her grandson, Ryan, by taking them to American Players Theater, the Overture Center, to see the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corp, and to numerous other concerts and performances throughout the years. She made sure everyone got to play an instrument and instilled a love of music and the arts in all of us.

Kathy was a proud member of the Madison Elks Lodge #410, the Red-Hot Mamma’s red hat lady group, and the Madison and Deforest Senior Centers. She loved to play games, especially Euchre and Bridge, and spent many wonderful hours at the Elks Club and the DeForest Senior Center showing her skills at these games. She was an outgoing, gregarious, funny, smart, beautiful person who made the world a better place and she will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Our family would like to give special thanks to her dear friends, Joan Murray and Howard Czoschke for all the love and support you’ve given her, especially the past few years when she moved from Madison to Windsor. All the times you spent with her and all the rides and help you gave her were greatly appreciated, especially by her. We would also like to thank her primary physician, Dr. Lisa Grant, for the exceptional care she received over the years. Additionally, we would like to thank Dr. Jennifer Wright, Dr. Charles Weber, Dr. Art Walaszek, and Dr. Giorgio Gimelli for keeping her going even longer than she thought possible.

Kathy is survived by her daughter, Vicki Schmitz (Don); son, Steven Harkins; grandson, Ryan DeBolt (Sara); grandsons, Zarin Schmitz and Zennon Schmitz; great-granddaughter, Iris Brunschwig-DeBolt; and many beloved cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her domestic partner of 44 years, Roy Schenk; son, David Parks; brother, Paul Seifert; stepmother Edna Seifert, and her parents.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at ALL FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL 4058 Lien Rd., Madison. A funeral service will take place on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior, at LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH, 1021 University Ave., Madison. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Women’s Medical Fund Wisconsin or Lutheran Campus Ministry Madison.

All Faiths Funeral & Cremation Services of Madison is assisting with the arrangements. Online condolences can be shared at www.866allfaiths.com.