On Oct. 20, 2025, Kathleen “Kaye” Kinateder, 83, of Jefferson, passed away peacefully at home from kidney disease.
She was born on Dec. 7, 1941, in Palmyra, to Daniel and Lucille (Walton) Szymkowski. She graduated from Palmyra High School in 1959 and Marvels Cosmetology School in Milwaukee, in 1960. Kaye married Walter Kinateder on Feb 4, 1961, in Whitewater. They settled in Palmyra, and while raising their four boys, she provided childcare out of her home for local Palmyra families and teachers. After to moving to Jefferson, she worked at the school lunch program and Cold Storage. Kaye earned an accounting degree and worked at Morgan and Meyer. Eventually, she was employed at Brownberry Bread in Oconomowoc until she retired.
Kaye was an amazing baker, especially at Christmas time, when she would make platters of Christmas cookies, and Cherry Coffee Cake. Through the years Kaye enjoyed many family gatherings and going on adventures with her sisters. She and Wally took a retirement trip to Switzerland, and went on historical bus tours together. Later in life she enjoyed her regular breakfasts with the pool ladies, a Vegas trip to celebrate her 80th birthday in style, and overnight midwest casino trips with the Fort Senior Center.
Kaye is survived by three sons, Gary (Melanie) Kinateder of Aurora, Colorado, Steven (Debbie) Kinateder of Helenville, and Bruce (Shareen) Kinateder, Whitewater; and her grandchildren, Adam, Alex, Andrew, Lucas (Lindsay), Emily (Corey), Megan, Alisha, Tasha (Anthony), Alexander (Rebekah), and Talia (Ryan). Kaye is also survived by her first great grandchild, Grayson Kinateder; her bonus great grandchildren, Farrah, Elias, Ardath, Noemi, Louisa, Rosalie, Daisy, Hewitt, Lilia, and Lucas; and cousins, nieces and nephews.
Kaye is preceded in death by her husband Wally; son Philip Kinateder; parents; and siblings, James, Dorothy, Christine, and Mary Jane; and Francis, who she always considered another sister.
A visitation for Kaye will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, at Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home, 900 W. Racine St. in Jefferson. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson, with a second visitation from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Kathleen will be laid to rest in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.
Thank you to Kaye’s friends and family who kept in touch through letters, calls and occasional visits. A special thank you to the best neighbors for all the generous, spontaneous help and friendship they provided for Wally and Kaye, especially these last few years! A big thank you to Family Connections LLC of Watertown and their special caregivers, and the SSM Palliative & Hospice nurses for their support. Thank you to Fr. Tom Coyle and Fr. John Silva for their visits and prayers for Kaye.
Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home is assisting the family.
