Katherine M. Lotzer

Katherine M. Lotzer, 96, of Rockford passed away Saturday, May 16, 2015 at Alpine Fireside Nursing Home. Born March 9, 1919, in Augusta, Georgia, the daughter of Thomas and Beulah (Kelly) Skemp. Katherine graduated from Aquinas High School in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, attended University of Wisconsin LaCrosse and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Marquette. She married Ray P. Lotzer. Katherine was a member of the Cathedral of St. Peter, St. Anne’s Society at the Cathedral of St. Peter and the Catholic Woman’s League, where she was the past President from 1962 to 1964. She was a St. Anthony Hospital Auxiliary where she served as President from 1975 to 1977. Katherine and her husband, Ray, were world travelers, traveling to Europe and Japan. They also enjoyed their 25 years of going to Arizona to see Cubs baseball spring training. The Lotzer Family would like to thank Lutheran Social Services for their in-home care given to Kay in 2014 and to Alpine Fireside for the great care they provided her during her time there.
Survived by her children, Gretchen (Maurice) Farbstein, Susan (Ray) McLarty, Peter (Carol) Lotzer, Michael Lotzer and Mark (Sandra) Lotzer; grandchildren, DeAnne Devine (Rob) Wolff, Michele (Rick) Smith, Kathryn (Tom) Gunderson, Kristen Albright, Vincent (Amie) Lotzer, Matthew (Katherine) Lotzer, Blake (Marni) Lotzer, Robert Lotzer, Mark (Linda) McLarty, DanNY (Shondra) McLarty, Chad (Laura) McLarty, Brad (Sarah) McLarty, Mary Ann (Tom) Matus, Corrine (Greg) Cecil and Justin (Meghan) Garnhart; 38 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; sisters, Betty Curtis and Eileen (Donald) Gass; brothers, Robert (Frances) Skemp, Dr. Joseph Skemp and William Skemp. Predeceased by her parents and brother, Tom Jr.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 22, 2015 at the Cathedral of St. Peter. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 North Rockton Avenue, with the rosary recited at 6:30 p.m., and will continue at church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the Cathedral of St. Peter. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.