Kathryn Swender

Kathryn Louise Swender (84) peacefully passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on March 30, 2026. Katy was born to Robert and Gertrude Flugstad on April 7, 1941, in Black River Falls, WI. She graduated with honors as Salutatorian, and went on to  earn her bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin- Madison, and her masters from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Katy met her husband David Swender in college at UW and they were married on September 1, 1963, in Black River Falls. Together they raised three children, Chris, Jenny, and Greg.  Katy worked as a marriage and family therapist in Appleton, WI after raising kids as an accomplished homemaker.  

They spent many years together in Appleton before building their dream retirement home in Sturgeon Bay, WI- where you could find her walking the beach, watching the wildlife, autumn colors, and birds at the feeder.  Katy was an accomplished pianist, and was always an active participant in local music performance and choir groups both in Appleton and Door County.  Katy was an avid reader, enjoyed golf, watching musicals and symphonies, and playing piano for her kids and grandkids.  Katy and Dave greatly enjoyed travel, including trips to China, Alaska, Hawaii and multiple trips to Europe.  Katy and Dave treasured their time playing cards, taking family outings, and laughing with their AAL Bridge Group, priceless friendships which started when they first moved to Appleton after college and continue to this day.     

Katy is survived by her loving husband, Dave, children Chris (Sarah), Jenny (Ron), and Greg (Corey), grandchildren Jory, Josh, and Lia, Jacob, Skyler, and Cobain, Zach, Will, Maddie, and Luke, and great grandchildren Madi, Jackson, Landon, Molly, Bentley, Marley, Zane in addition to her sisters Mary O’Brien and Patricia (Terry) Hopkins of Black RIver Falls, sister-in-law Joy Flugstad of Cincinnati.  She was preceded in death by both parents, brother John, and her brother-in-law Jim O’Brien.

Services and a celebration of life will be held on a future date to be announced at Zion Lutheran Church, 912 N. Oneida St, Appleton; In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lutheran Social Services at https://www.lsswis.org/donate/

The family would especially like to thank the caring staff at Cherry Meadows Hospice in Appleton.  Their support and care during Katy’s final days was a tremendous comfort to her and to her family.