Kathleen "Katie" Dorothy (Wanggaard) Jensen, age 50, of Mt. Pleasant, WI, went into eternity on September 6, 2026, after a courageous four-year battle with Stage IV colon and liver cancer.

Katie was born on April 4, 1976, in Racine, WI. Growing up, she was always full of life. You could find her dancing on the front lawn, boating and water skiing up north, getting lost in a good book, or performing dance routines for her family alongside her cousins. She attended Fratt Elementary and McKinley Middle School before graduating from Park High School in 1994, where she was active in pompons, choir, and DECA. Inspired by a lifelong calling to teach, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a minor in Dance from UW-Whitewater and in 2010 received a Master of Education from National Louis University. On August 14, 2004, she married the love of her life, John Jensen, and last month, they were able to celebrate their 22nd wedding anniversary.

For 22 years, Katie dedicated her life to her students as an elementary school teacher throughout Racine Unified. She began her teaching career at Mitchell and spent the majority of her years at Giese, where she advised Student Council, published multiple books, participated in F.A.S.T. (Families and Students Together) and welcomed countless speakers, volunteers, and community leaders into her classroom. In 2021, she transferred to Schulte School, where she taught for only a short time before her diagnosis.

Katie’s favorite things were often the simple things that brought her joy: being a fur-Mom to Milo, going up north to her family’s land and spending time on the lake, sending handwritten cards, having FaceTime calls with her nieces, tending to her garden, and cooking. She loved her beautifully manicured, naturally long nails, owning and showing her Dalmatians, buying and receiving rose lilies, the color purple, volunteering in the community with her therapy dog, Memphis, and spending time in her special prayer closet. She loved listening to live Christian music, celebrating the Fourth of July and being an American, and most of all, being part of the community she called home.

Those who knew Katie best knew that she felt everything deeply. She could easily be brought to tears, whether from laughter or from sadness, because she experienced life with her whole heart. She was a true believer in miracles and never hesitated to give God the glory. She glorified Him through her beautiful gift of singing, and throughout her journey, she used her voice not only in song but in sharing her faith and encouraging others.

Katie was a true nurturer. She was always looking after the people around her, checking in, offering encouragement, and finding ways to make others feel special and loved. She genuinely loved people and treasured the relationships she built. She appreciated the simple moments that so many of us take for granted, like a cup of coffee, a walk with Milo, a meaningful conversation, or a beautiful day in her garden. She knew that those ordinary moments were often the ones that mattered most.

Her husband, John, was her constant, her partner, her safe place, and the person beside her through it all. They faced the highs and lows of life together, and Katie often spoke of how blessed she was that they were in it together. She was her dad's biggest fan. Katie was immensely proud of him and admired the years he devoted to serving and leading their community. She carried that pride with her always. Her mom was her best friend. They shared a bond that went far beyond mother and daughter. They shared their lives. Whether they were getting their nails done, going to a Christian concert, running errands, or simply spending time together, Katie treasured those moments with her mom. Katie and her brother Josh shared a bond that was difficult to put into words. He was her person. She was his trusted confidant and biggest cheerleader, always encouraging him and believing in him. Katie was his prayer warrior, lifting him up in prayer and standing beside him through whatever life brought them. They were two people who truly understood one another. Although Katie didn’t have a sister, she was blessed with a bonus sister in Amy, her brother’s wife, who always joked that she was Katie’s favorite sister. Amy was always there for Katie, loving her, supporting her, and standing beside her through every season of her life.

Katie had a remarkable ability to make people feel seen, loved, and important. She built relationships wherever she went, and those relationships became one of the greatest gifts of her life and one of the greatest gifts she gave to others.

Katie was a woman of immense faith, love, and empathy. Hope City Church was her second home, and she served beautifully on the worship team, singing on stage when she felt good enough to do so, including her final time worshiping through song just one week before her hospitalization in early August. She was a full empath who felt deeply, cried easily out of love and joy, and famously started almost every phone call with an apologetic "I'm sorry." She cherished spending quality time with John and her beloved dog, Milo, celebrating birthdays with her favorite dinner of steak and lobster at The Wilmot Stage Stop, and sharing testimonies of her faith. Even during her time in hospice care, Katie’s selfless love for others continued, as she became licensed and married her brother-in-law and sister-in-law in her front yard! Throughout her journey, Katie’s faith never wavered. If anything, she only grew closer to God as she neared the end of her earthly life. It is without a doubt that Katie was welcomed into Heaven with open arms and the words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Katie is survived by her loving husband, John Jensen; her fur baby and loyal companion, Milo; her beloved parents, Van and Mary Jo Wanggaard; her best friend and brother, Josh (Amy) Wanggaard; her brother-in-law, Joe (Jenny) Jensen; her grandfather, Grandpa Don Hermes; and mother-in-law, Nancy Jensen. She is further survived by her precious nieces (who lovingly called her TT), Hattie, Eloise, Daphne, Emily, and nephew Jacob (Lauren, Eleanor).

She leaves behind her dear aunts and uncles: godfather, John (Barb) Mizer, Gail Wanggaard, Mark (Nancy) Wanggaard, Vicki Wanggaard-Hynek, Herk (Cindy) Wanggaard, Chris Wanggaard, Sandy Wanggaard, Frank Laettner; godmother, Judy Fekati; her cousins: Megan (Justin, Jocelyn, Jordan), Beth, Maren, Jordan (Paul, Luke, Mia), Taylor (Andrew, William, Alex), Kira (Jon), and Max (Rachael, LeeLand, RaeLynn), and other extended family; her longtime and dearest friends, Sarah Greening, Noelle Lipari, and Emily Veit.

Katie is also survived by her sister-in-law, Anne (John) Wanggaard; her nephew and nieces, JJ, Brittany (Caleb and family), Kaylie (and family).

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Dr. Herluf and Hattie Wanggaard; her maternal grandfather, John J. Mizer; her maternal grandmother, Paulene (Mizer) Hermes; her father-in-law, Joe Jensen; her uncle, Kevin Wanggaard; her aunt, Lynn Laettner; her uncle, Richard Hynek; and her cousin, Michael Wanggaard.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Mullane, Dr. Hassan, N.P. Kelly, the oncology staff, and the countless members of the care team at Aurora Health are in Mt. Pleasant, who cared for and encouraged Katie throughout her courageous fight.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either of the following organizations in Katie’s memory: Relay for Life of Southeast Wisconsin or Hope City (for Hope City donations, please write “Outreach” in the memo line of your check).

A Celebration of Katie's Life will be held on Tuesday, September 22, beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Hope City Church (212 11th Street, Racine, WI 53403). Visitation will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a Memorial Service to follow from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Arrangements are being handled by Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home.