Kathleen Hochschild

Hochschild, Kathleen Anne (nee Shilts) – Born April 21, 1955 – Found everlasting peace on December 23rd, 2024, at the age of 69, reuniting eternally with her husband of 48 years, Mark. Kathy is survived by daughters Lisa (Destiny) Beaugrand and Sara (Ryan) Hartig. Proud and loving grandma of Emily and Madelyn Hartig. Kathy is also survived by her best friend and little sister Jeanne “Gigi” Shilts. She was also deeply loved by her brother and sisters-in-law: Dale (Lynda) Hochschild, Mary Jo Kovochich, Janet (Gerry) Wambach, and Nancy (John) Nepscha, also her uncle and aunt John and LuAnn Drana. There were also many nieces and nephews, cousins, and members of her “work family” who adored Kathy as well.

Kathy was preceded in death by husband Mark Hochschild, her parents Gilbert and Marlys (Drana) Shilts, in-laws Fred and Dorothy (Nawrocki) Hochschild, brother-in-law, Edward Kovochich, grandmother Myrtis Olson, Uncles and Aunts, Joe and Joan Drana, Ardetta and Larry Kampa, Richard and Bede Shilts and beloved cousin Judy McQuillian.

Kathy started working at the Big Boy restaurant in downtown Milwaukee while in high school before moving over to work at the local K-Mart, where she met Mark. They married and had her two wonderful daughters. She began working part time for Trinity Memorial Hospital, which is now Aurora St. Luke’s South Shore, in the billing department. She transferred to Aurora HealthCare, where she met her lifelong friend Carrie, working for over 30 years as a Medicare biller before retiring in 2021. Kathy made the time to do the fun stuff with her family. The summers were usually spent camping or going on road trips to cabins for a week. Kathy loved camping with her best friend Joanne and their group of friends. Kathy never missed a sporting event for girls and made time to attend events for the children of her family member’s and her coworkers. She even had the opportunity to coach Sara’s junior varsity volleyball team in high school.

Kathy also loved her down time at home. A little secret, Kathy loved to crochet and even crocheted her girls each an afghan blanket when they were younger. After retirement, Kathy devoted most of her time to her grandchildren Emily and Madelyn. She loved going to see Emily play basketball, go swimming and saw her play volleyball this past fall, as well as a cheerleading clinic event. Once Madelyn was born, Kathy spent as much time as she could with her. Even when the girls didn’t need a babysitter, Kathy would sneak over just to go love on her girls. Kathy also loved staying busy and going places. She loved the casino trips with her sisters-in-law, the cabin trips with the Hochschild siblings, the trips to see the Stanley family and the “old farm” and the many trips to Madison to go shopping or just to spend time with her sister Gigi. Kathy’s life revolved around her family no matter where they were or what they were doing. Family never meant just blood family either. Whether you worked with her, or you went to school with the girls, she was always someone you could call sister or mom. She would give you the shirt off her back and then some.

A special thank you to her dear friends Joanne, Carrie and Joanie for all the love and care they showed Kathy in her last weeks.

“Mom, Sara and I will miss you like crazy. But you raised us to be strong and independent just like you were. We will follow in those footsteps and make you proud. Emily and Madelyn love you so much and send you all the hugs and kisses to heaven. Keep watch over us and keep us safe. We love you.”

In accordance with Kathy’s wishes, cremation will take place. A memorial service for both Mark and Kathy Hochschild will be held on March 22nd, 2025. Time and location will be announced at a later date.

If you wish to view Mark’s obituary, please click here. 

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