Barbara J. Kaat. 72, of Oostburg died on Saturday morning,
March 10, 2018 at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice Center where she
had resided for the past two days.
Barb was born on September 11, 1945 in Sheboygan the
daughter of Isaac and Esther (Nyenhuis) VanEss. She graduated from Oostburg
High School in 1963. On September 19,
1967 Barb married David Kaat in Hingham. Barb worked at the Wilson Mutual
Insurance Co. for 25 years before her retirement in 2010. Previously she had
worked for the Vollrath Co. and was a police dispatcher for the City of
Sheboygan.
Barb was a lifelong member of Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian
Church in Oostburg and was an active volunteer at Oostburg Christian School. She enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking,
gardening, camping, birdwatching, and traveling. Barb’s greatest joy came from spending
time with her family and attending their activities.
Barb is survived by her husband of 50 years, David of Oostburg; four daughters,
MaryNell (Randy) Swihart of Oostburg, Tammy
(Chris) Rocco of St. Paul, MN, Heather (Rick) Schlafke of Sheboygan Falls, and
Terri (Craig) Ostermann of Sheboygan;
five grandchildren, Jake (friend
Kim), Ashley and Connor Swihart, Ames and Joss-Lynn Rocco ; one sister, Mary
(Jack) Hoffmann of Oostburg; one brother, Dick (Carol) VanEss of Oostburg; three brothers-in-law, Tony (Carol) Kaat of
Hingham, Dan (Ann) Kaat of Madison and Gordon (Romaine) Bruggink of Oostburg;
nieces and nephews.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Isaac and Esther
VanEss; parents-in-law, Tony and Mildred Kaat, a sister-in-law, Mariette
Bruggink; and a nephew, Tim Hoffmann.
A funeral to celebrate Barb’s life will take place at the
Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Oostburg on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at
10:30 am with Rev. David Veldhorst officiating. Burial will take place at
Oostburg Cemetery in the Town of Holland.
Family and friends will gather at the Wenig Funeral Home in
Oostburg on Wednesday from 4-7 pm and at church on Thursday from 9:30 am until
the time of the service at 10:30 am.
For online condolences and additional information please
visit
www.wenigfh.com
A memorial fund is being established in her name.
The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg
(920-564-2771) is serving the Kaat family.
