Kathleen Doris Ringel was called home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on December 30th, 2023, surrounded by family at her home. She was born on November 20, 1938, to Edward and Elsa Jackle in Fondulac, WI.
When Kathy gave her life to Jesus in 1969, she asked a simple question, “Lord, what do you want me to do with my life”. She had a heart for missions, though she thought it impossible to take a family overseas, she wanted to be obedient to her Lord. God used her obedience and brought the mission field to her door. Even after having five children of her own, she opened her heart and home to orphaned children from Korea, children in Foster Care of Sheboygan County and through Sponsorship of a Hmong family from Laos. She adopted four children who needed love and a home and called those she fostered, the “love of her heart”. To each of those she touched, she would say, “I love you best!” Her faithfulness to her Lord allowed her to love and share the love of Christ to countless grandchildren, great-grandchildren and anyone who God brought into her life. Her faithfulness to Jesus was often displayed in her conversations with others as she wanted others to see how BIG her God was working for our good. She had a heart for Jesus!
Because of Kathy’s obedience in loving children, her adopted daughter reciprocated that love when she donated her kidney to Kathy 2007.
Kathy was united in marriage to Kenneth Ringel on October 1, 1985, her handyman and love of her life. When she was raising 8 children on her own on a farm, she met Ken who helped her fix things on the farm. He did say that it was the first job that cost him money.
Kathy was preceded in death by her oldest daughter, Terri Grunewald; son, Bryant Ringel; Son-in-law, Roger Kaat, her brother; Robert Bunnow, and her sister, Betty Schneider.
She is survived by her husband, Ken Ringel, her children: Linda (Leo) Guajardo, Matthew (Ker) McClellan, Rob (Jayne) Ringel, Kelly Kaat, Jeni (Steve) Zehnder, Michael McClellan, Julie (John) Ten Haken, Tammy Ringel, Mark (Jenny) McClellan, Milo Harter and Laura Lee Wright and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Evangelical Free Church (1710 N. 15th St, Sheboygan, WI, 53081) on January 20th, at 12 PM. Visitation will be between 10-12 prior to the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, if you would like to donate on her behalf, please donate to help her passion in helping the most vulnerable, babies of Sheboygan County through Baby Care of Sheboygan County.
The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Kathy’s arrangements.
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