Loretta Zander

CROSS PLAINS- Loretta M. “Kitty Grandma” Zander, age 92 of Cross Plains passed away on Saturday, March 10, 2018, of injuries sustained from an automobile accident. She was born on Feb. 12, 1926, in Marxville, Wis., the daughter of John and Mary (Statz) Marx. Loretta attended and graduated the 8th grade in the “one room” school house in Marxville and then began working in the family business doing the books for Marxville Creamery. On Oct. 8 1946, she married James J. Zander at St. Martins Catholic Church in Martinsville. Loretta was known for her generosity and always being the first to assist when anyone was in need. She loved being a farm wife and mother, working for the elections and being a member of the CCW-Council of Catholic Women.  Loretta cooked for many weddings, funerals and church bazaars. She was an avid sewer, making a lot of her own clothes and gifts for others. She enjoyed meeting the “ladies” for lunch at the bowling center and then playing cards all afternoon. Loretta was a self-taught musician who loved music, playing the piano, harmonica, and accordion. She loved her cats and dogs, but she treasured her grandkids and great grandkids even more. Loretta liked to watch Lawrence Welk and game shows. She also enjoyed spending time growing and tending to her large garden, which she used in her canning, cooking, and baking. She would often take a casserole or a home baked loaf of bread with her when she visited someone who was sick. Loretta is survived by her children, Lois (Dennis) Levenhagen, Kenneth Zander, Luann Zander, Evelyn (Bill) Hellenbrand, Randall (Carol) Zander, Karen Zander (Joel Helmke), Charles (Sue) Zander, Jeff Zander (Becky Peck) and Helen (Mike) Roth; nine grandchildren, Jenny (Dan) Booker, Kathy Kahl, Matt (Nicole) Levenhagen, Corey (Amanda) Leister, Curt (Kristin) Leister, Tina (Joe) Kurhajec, Zachary Zander, Kayla Zander and Sarah Zander; nine great-grandchildren, Christopher and Andrew Booker, Alyssa Schmitt (Kahl), RaeAnne and Austin Leister, Aiden and Camilla Leister and Anna and Lily Kurhajec; sisters, Laura Theis, and Irene Keller; and other relatives and many friends. In addition to her husband Jim, she was preceded in death by her parents; son, Daniel Zander; and siblings, George (Betty) Marx, John (Jeanette) Marx and Rose (Ray) Acker; and in-laws, Matt Theis and Roman Keller. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2947 Thinnes St., Cross Plains, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 15, 2018, with Father Gerard Healy and Father Tom Kelley presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, and also at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass on Thursday. Private family burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be gifted in her name to the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of WI., or the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.   Gunderson Cross Plains Funeral & Cremation Care 2421 Church Street (608)798-3141