Kathe Jabs

MADISON - Käthe Jabs found peace on Friday, July 8, 2022, just two days before her 85th birthday. She grew up in Almdorf, Germany, a small village near the Danish border. She often spoke of her childhood, her fondness of her four sisters and brother, and her special relationship with her mother and father. She grew up in a loving environment but was challenged with hardships of World War II and post war survival in her early adulthood. She spoke of good memories of family and love, as well as the struggles and survival during war.

The one story she often told may have shaped her life forever. After the war ended, the American troops arrived in her village. The community was anxious with fear and uncertainty. She recalled a moment where she stumbled upon one American soldier while playing. She turned a corner and there he was. He kneeled down with an arm extended and said words she could not understand at the time, but she spoke often describing his kind face and his bright smile. She cautiously sensed and observed the reassuring tone of his voice. Later in life she learned what the words he repeated meant. “Sugar? Sugar?” He was offering her a Hershey’s candy bar. Käthe hesitantly approached and took the offering and ran off. Not knowing what she had taken, she later discovered it to be chocolate, a rare treat from a kind soul that was supposed to be the enemy. From that point forward on she wondered what kind of country and people the Americans were and dreamed of someday finding out what kind of country it is.

Children often were forced into the labor force at an early age to help support the family, and Käthe was no exception. Her wish for a better life, curiosity and sense for adventure prompted her desire to leave Germany and all of her family to come to the United States to become a U.S citizen. Her dreams were made possible through an American sponsorship program and Käthe arrived in the U.S.A. in 1958. She worked for her sponsor in Monona, Wis., as a housekeeper and assembled electronic equipment. After her obligations of the sponsorship program were fulfilled, she took a job as a waitress at Dykeman’s Restaurant in Madison. She learned English from watching TV and waitressing. She later studied and became a U.S. citizen.

Through Käthe’s cousin, sponsor and mutual friends she was introduced to people involved with the local soccer scene, groups of immigrants whose families and supporters attended soccer events to socialize with others in their own language. It was one day she met her future husband, Erwin, when attending a soccer game. He too came into the U.S. via a sponsorship program. They had many things in common, and thus the spark was lit. They wed in 1960 and their first son, Herb, arrived the next year, followed by their son, Wally, and daughter, Erika. They loved and lived in their beautiful home in Madison for nearly 60 years.

Käthe later worked for more than 20 years as a part-time stock clerk for Famous Footwear. In all of her work experiences, her employers appreciated Käthe and wished they had more employees like her. She was honest, dedicated, kind, respectful, hard-working and appreciated to a high extent. Her family and friends loved and appreciated her even more.

Käthe always provided a safe and fun environment for her children no matter how challenging life became. She was loving in infinite ways and had the amazing ability to listen to and understand children with tenderness and compassion. She was completely devoted to loving and taking care of her husband and kids in any way she could and had her own special way to smooth out difficult circumstances along with reassurance that no matter what, things will be okay. A streak of spunky competitiveness also ran in her blood; Yahtzee, bumper pool, badminton, cards - all are memorable times. Käthe also had a playful sense of humor which one could not help but to adore. She also took immense pride in her garden and loved flowers and birds; pansies and chickadees were some of her favorites.

Later in life, Käthe sadly endured many health issues, which contributed to her rapid decline over the last year.

Kathe’s entire life is a story that exemplifies courage, hope, compassion, love, and incredible sacrifice. Her strength, confidence, and beauty beamed admirably. Her essence resonated and her spirit was infectious. She was proud of who she was, proud of her family, and proud to be an American, a country that she made a home for her family. Everyone knew and loved Kathe as someone very special. She will truly be missed by many.

Käthe is survived by her husband, Erwin; sons, Herb Jabs and Wally (Michele) Jabs; daughter, Erika (Keith) Esser; grandchildren, Cece Jabs and Keeley Jabs; sisters, Hanni (Heinz) Henningsen, Ilse (Egon) Breisemeister and Gerda Novak; brother-in-law, Reinhard Gloss; sisters-in-law, Erna Carstensen and Hilda Jeschke; and cousin, Helga (Rick) Rikkers. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hermann and Ingeburg Carstensen; parents-in-law, Adolf and Emilie Jabs; sister, Inge Gloss; brother, Ernst Carstensen; and daughter-in-law, Nancy Braun.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 2022. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 12 noon until the time of the service on Friday. Burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420