Racine – Kathleen Marie (nee: Stanton) Willis, age 67; passed away, surrounded with the love of her family, on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at Ascension – All Saints Hospital, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Kathy was born in Racine on October 15, 1950 to the late Eugene W. and Ann M. (nee: Kovacik) Stanton. She attended St. Edward's Catholic School and graduated from JI Case High School in 1967. Kathy went on to attend Gateway and Parkside. On November 6, 1976 in St. Edward's Catholic Church, she was united in marriage to the love of her life & soulmate, Anthony James Willis.

Kathy was employed in medical care her entire career. She enjoyed working at St. Luke's Hospital (emergency room, nursery & on the floor units), office manager for Dr. Mahmood Shaikh and in the business office for St. Mary's / Wheaton Franciscan / All Saints from she retired in 2016. Among her interests, Kathy always looked forward to her many trips to Las Vegas with Tony; daily heart-to-heart chats on the phone with her two beautiful daughters; bragged about and was so very proud of her two granddaughters; keeping in close contact with her five sisters & had sincere interest on what was going on in their families; was forever spoiling her cocker-spaniel companion, Forrest, of whom she dearly loved; crocheted afghans for family & friends; kept up with her favorite television programs; was an avid reader – especially on her Kindle; always looked forward to football season & hosting Packer parties at her home; had a tremendous appreciation for all varieties of music but was partial to The Beatles & music of the 60's and 70's; was an extremely loyal & diehard Republican; treasured sitting outside on her patio with family & friends; and often reminisced about the many good times with her Thurston Avenue family. Above all, Kathy loved nothing more than being at home with her Tony & was always thrilled to have visits from family & friends.

Surviving are her loving & dedicated husband of nearly 42 years, Anthony "Tony" Willis; their daughters, Leigh Ann (Michael) Langendorf & Katie (Michael) Duesterbeck; granddaughters, Mallory & Lucy Langendorf; sisters, Judy (Joe) Jardina, Joanie (Arley) Norby, Jackie (Joe) Thielen, Janie (Scott) Thomas & Jeannie Stanton; sisters-in-law, Marie (Phil) Czuper, Lisa (Dave) Zanchetti and Sue (Jim) Craig; many special nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and really close friends – too numerous to mention all by name.

In addition to her parents, Kathy was preceded in death by Tony's parents, Robert & Florence Willis; and by her brother-in-law, Jerry Willis.

Funeral services honoring Kathy's wonderful life will be celebrated on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 12:00 noon in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. A memorial luncheon will follow. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. Private interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery – Highway 32. Memorials to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have been suggested.

A heartfelt note of thanks to the incredibly caring staff members of Froedtert Hospital and Ascension – All Saints Hospital, especially the many physicians, nurses, cna & nursing assistants, respiratory care, cancer center, radiation therapy, ICU, floors 3C & 2C, transport team associates & others we do not intentionally forget to mention that did everything in their power to save our beloved Wife & Mother's life. May God bless all of you!

Service Details

Funeral Services honoring Kathy's beautiful life will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 12:00 noon in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home.

A memorial luncheon will follow.

Visitation: in the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon