Kathleen (Kathy) Mary Herdendorf went home to the Lord on December 11, 2025.  She passed peacefully at Three Pillars Riverside Lodge Memory Care Unit, Dousman, where she had been a resident for the last three years.

Kathy was born on June 25, 1938 in Watertown, WI to William and Gwendolyn (Stubbs) Westphall. Kathy graduated from Oconomowoc High School in 1956 and married the love of her life, Gerald (Jerry) Herdendorf on June 1, 1957. Together they lovingly raised their two children, Tammy and Timothy(Tim).   Kathy worked to build many special memories and traditions for her children and grandchildren over the years. Every December, the entire family would get together for a day of holiday cookie baking, making batches of dozens of types of cookies and candies all in one day–followed by pizza! 

Kathy was best known for her role as a paraprofessional at Sullivan Elementary, where, for more than 30 years, she enjoyed helping children learn and watching them grow into young adults. She touched the lives of hundreds of students over the years, and students never forgot Mrs. Herdendorf. They would see her years later and still come up and give her a hug. Kathy had several jobs during her life from being a lifeguard at Golden Lake to working at Creamery Package in Fort Atkinson and a cook at Stormer’s in Rome and Morry’s House of Prime in Sullivan. 

Kathy was very active in the community during her life. She was a Brownie Girl Scout leader and a Cub Scout leader. She taught the second grade first communion class at St. Mary Help of Christian Church for several years.She had a kind and cheerful manner that drew people to her, and over the years she amassed a large circle of friends that will miss her and her loving spirit.

Kathy will be deeply missed by her children, Tammy (Daryl) Payne of Sulivan and Tim Herdendorf of Manhattan, KS. along with her 5 grandchildren, Trista (Cory) Hertel, Derek (Emily) Payne, Courtney (James) Jurczyk, Brent Payne and Rebecca (Fiance Tony Maurina) Payne and seven great grandchildren Emmalee, Evelyn, Ezra, Ellora and Ensley Hertel and Mackenzie and Mia Jurzcyk. She is further survived by  her sister Donna Westphall of Rome, GA and her nephews, Dennis and Dan Griesemer and Jeff Herdendorf and niece Wendy Will. 

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband Jerry in 2016, parents Bill & Gwen Westphall, parents-in-laws Ralph and Dorothy Herdendorf and brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws Lucile and Tom Schultz and Vernon and Betty Herdendorf.

The  family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Three Pillars Riverside Lodge Memory Care Unit for the excellent care they gave to Kathy.     

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Mary Help of Christian Catholic Church, W856 Hwy 18, Sullivan on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 12 noon, with visitation starting at 10:00 am until the time of service.