Katherine M. DeBraal
February 20, 1960 - May 06, 2026
Obituary
COTTAGE GROVE - Katherine M. “Kay” DeBraal, loving wife, caring mother and grandmother, and good friend, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at home with her husband by her side after a two-year battle with cancer. She was born on February 20, 1960, and was raised in Hayward, Wis., the only girl in a family of boys to Gerald and Mary Lou (Siebenaler) Kavanagh Jr.
Known to everyone as Kay, she grew up ice skating, fishing, and swimming in the Chippewa Flowage at her grandparents' resort. She worked at her grandmother's daycare and A&W so she could have all the root beer floats and coney dogs she wanted. She developed a love for math which led her to pursue accounting at UW-Eau Claire, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude in accounting. It was here that she met the love of her life, Daniel DeBraaI, and the two moved to Madison after marrying on August 7, 1982.
Kay worked as an accountant at Provident Savings & Loan (later Anchor Bank) for 15 years, becoming a vice president in her department and earning her CPA, before becoming a stay-at-home mom when she and Dan moved their family to Phoenix, Ariz., for two years. Upon returning to Wisconsin, she volunteered at their church until ultimately becoming the church secretary, a position she held for 17 years. She also was a Mary Kay Sales Consultant, regularly attributing the products to her youthful glow.
Kay was always the first to volunteer for activities, whether it was in her children's classroom or field trips, or for different events or committees at Monona United Methodist Church. Kay loved sewing - starting with sewing her own clothes in high school, to cross stitch, eventually becoming an amazing quilter. She has made countless quilts for family and friends over the years and always made an effort to attend Monday Morning Quilters at the Monona Senior Center. Kay loved reading, cooking, iris flowers, the color purple, anything chocolate, and gave the best hugs. She also attended monthly Wine Night gatherings and bowling ladies’ dinners with very special friends. Most special of all to her were her grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to read to, play with, cook for, or just be with her grandkids. She will be greatly missed.
Kay is survived by her husband, Daniel; daughter, Sarah (Mike) Minor; grandchildren, Jaxon and Emma Minor; and brothers, Phil (Toni) and Mike (Lynn) Kavanagh. She was preceded in death by her son, Kevin DeBraal; parents; and her brother, Patrick Kavanagh.
A memorial service will be held at Monona United Methodist Church, 606 Nichols Road, Monona, at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026, with Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Insor presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Monona United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420