Kathleen Zobel Obituary

Kathleen “Kathy” Zobel, 74, of Menasha, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Kathy was born on February 12, 1952, in Appleton, Wisconsin, to Edward and Lorraine (Bourassa) Unmuth. She later married David Zobel and together they built a life centered around family. Kathy was the mother of William, Holly, and Jennifer. She also lovingly adopted and raised her granddaughter, Alex, as her own daughter, and was stepmother to Kristin Zobel. She was a proud grandmother to Shyana (Greg) Hinkel, Juliana, Trip, Reece, Jordan, Maddie, Walker, and Cody (Ekko) Wienandt, Kyra Vande Burgt and Kailey Rottierand, a great-grandmother to eight great-grandchildren: Skylynn, Riley, Zander, Jackson, Lilly, Carter, Everleigh, and Soulara Rain.

Kathy retired from Banta Corporation after more than 30 years of dedicated service. During her time there she valued not only the work, but the friendships she made with those who proudly referred to themselves as part of the “Banta family.” She had a special love for animals and treated her dogs as if they were her children. Among those closest to her heart were her beloved Dobermans, Fawn, Zeus, and Kellogg, along with her Chihuahua, Pepper. Kathy also loved to dance, Elvis Presley and spending time surrounded by her family at her camper at Wildlife Campground.

Even in her later years, Kathy never completely lost her spark — her familiar spiciness and spirited personality shined for all the staff at Care Partners and reminded those who knew her best of the strong woman she had always been. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Brenda, Autumn, and the entire team at Care Partners – Fox Crossing for the compassion, kindness, and care they provided to Kathy during the years she lived there.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren, her eight great-grandchildren; and her brothers Jack (Jody) Unmuth, Mark (Stephanie) Unmuth, and Joseph (special friend Claudette) Unmuth, sister-in-law Louise Unmuth, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Zobel; her parents, Edward L. Unmuth and Lorraine Kathryn (Bourassa) Unmuth; and her brothers Gereon Unmuth and William Unmuth.

Alzheimer’s and dementia are cruel diseases that affect not only those diagnosed but also the families who care for them. In Kathy’s memory, the family hopes to continue supporting research and those caring for loved ones impacted by these illnesses, with the hope that one day a cure will be found. Though Alzheimer’s may have taken pieces of her memory, it will never take the legacy she leaves behind in the family who will carry her with them always.

A memorial service for Kathy will take place on Wednesday March 18, 2026, at 6:00pm at Wichmann Funeral Home-Laemmrich Chapel, 312 Milwaukee Street, Menasha. Friends and family may gather at the funeral home from 4:00pm until the service begins.

** Please note the date has changed due to incoming weather.