Kathleen Graf-Ideker

Kathleen “Kathy” Graf – Ideker, 90, of Hokah, died Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at La Crescent Health Services.

She was born February 15, 1933, at her home in Washington Township, Bangor, WI to William and Marie (Schmitz) Semke.  On May 21, 1952, she married Charles Graf at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in La Crosse, WI and he preceded her in death on February 26, 1988.  On July 21, 2006, she married Robert Ideker at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Brownsville, MN.

Kathleen worked for many years in the garment industry.  In April of 1999, she retired from that and started working in housekeeping at the La Crescent Nursing Home until her marriage to Robert Ideker.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen (Craig) Vangsness; daughter-in-law, Mary Lou Graf; step-children, Jeanie (Mark) Schwanbeck, Joe (Karen) Ideker, Becky Ideker and Joe Sheffer; grandchildren, Kristia Melstrom (Mike Huppert), Sara (Mark) Gamache, Jesse (Danielle) Boldt, Charles (Leslie) Boldt, Michael (Anna) Graf, Laura Graf and Andy (Amanda) Graf; 15 great-grandchildren; and many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Charles Graf and Robert Ideker; son, Darryl Graf; two sons-in-law, Byron Boldt and Tom Claridge; three sisters, Luella Ekern, Lucy Strasser and Rita Grams; and step-children, Robert Ideker, Jr. and Jaynie Sheffer.

Funeral Mass will be 11 a.m., Friday, November 10, 2023 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Brownsville with the Reverend Andrew Vogel officiating.  Visitation will be 10 a.m., until the time of Mass.  She will be laid to rest at a later date at St. Patrick's Cemetery.  Blaschke and Schneider Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. www.blaschkeschneider.com