"I was in Kathy's MFA thesis show in Madison, "Awake and Sing!." She was good friend."
In loving memory of
Kathleen Kaap
July 2, 1945 - June 29, 2011
Madison-Kathleen Marie Kaap, age 65, passed away peacefully at home on June 29, 2011, after a long illness. Kathy was born July 2, 1945 in Lancaster, WI, and grew up with an adventurous fun loving spirit and much cherished memories of country life on a farm near Fennimore. Her formal education began in a one room school, Roger Hollow near Fennimore. She graduated in 1963 from Fennimore High School, where she became interested in music and drama. She went on to the University of WI, Eau Claire, where she spent her junior year studying French in Dijon, France, and where she later received her undergraduate degree in French and in Theater and Drama.
After several years teaching French and drama in rural Wisconsin high schools, her love of the performing arts brought Kathy to the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she received her Masters of Fine Arts in Theater and Drama in 1977. Kathy found comfort and joy in her talent as a pianist, whether playing for herself or family & friends. She loved teaching children and beginners how to play and wrote two compositions of her own. She became immersed in the city's culture, politics, and sports and made Madison her home from that time on. Kathy loved showing her guests the most beautiful, interesting, or best food in the city she loved, just one of many well chosen heartfelt gifts she showered on her family, friends, and neighbors. Kathy's generous nature and trusting heart filled her life with rich experiences. Her passion, creativity, and generosity will be dearly missed by all whose lives she touched.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Karl and Helen Teply Kaap. She is survived by her partner of 35 years, Bert Rogers, of Madison; her brother Keith Kaap, Westby, WI; and Karolyn Zimmerman, Klamath Falls, OR; and by 2 nephews, Dustin Kaap, Rockford, IL and Zachary Zimmerman, Klamath Falls, OR and their families. Kathy has been cremated as she wished. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Cress Funeral Home, 6021 University Avenue, Madison, with burial following at Forest Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
Kathy's family wishes to thank Hospice Care of Madison and the UW-Hospital system for all they did for Kathy to lengthen her stay with us and make her more comfortable. Anyone wishing to contribute a donation in Kathy's name may contact Hospice Care Inc., 4294 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison,
608/327-7180, or go to https://www.hospicecareinc.com/donation.html
Tributes
"I first met Kathy when we were in Roger Hollow School. I am in the picture posted here and have wonderful memories of this time. We remained friends throughout our school years and I spent fun days and nights at her house. I regret that we lost contact except for occasionally seeing each other and I did not know of her accomplishments in life. I realized that she had many talents but was unaware of the magnitude of her education and life. I last saw her at her aunt's funeral here in Fennimore and was able to talk for a short time and share a hug. She was a great person and many will miss her. Sorry that I did not keep track of her and share her wonderful life. My condolences to the family who I know miss her deeply."
"My fondest memories of Kathy were the many times she called to comfort me when she heard someone in our family was critically ill or had passed away. Kathy not only was talented in the arts but also a compassionate, considerate and comforting down to earth human being. She knew just the right things to say to make me feel better. I will miss those conversations."
"My sister Kathy and I had a magical, creative childhood unrivaled by few. We could not have been closer. We had our own special language, and living on a farm and somewhat isolated from other children, we had a whole town full of imaginary friends (we lived in "Kathy and Karolyn Town"). We created plays with our stuffed animals, even made up our own "TV Guide." We designed clothes for our paper-dolls and put on style shows with them on the picnic table: it was at Cypress Garden with Esther Williams, complete with a pool and landscaping. And with real friends from the neighborhood farms, we created many dramatic ephisodes of "Queen of the Sandpit" where we speant many summer days; we had our own playhouse that moved from the haymow, to 'above the milk house,' to the pump house where we held school rooms and played house, dress up, and other magical days. Many times my mother had to drop everything to come watch a performance, which she appeared to enjoy thoroughly. Nothing and no one can ever match what we had, as many a sister knows. We were not afraid to argue our own beliefs when we differed, and we were both stubborn but always moved on after cooling down. Nothing broke my heart more than when she gave up her dreams of a career in theater. She had the heart and the talent, but not the support. The only thing greater than her conviction to her dreams was her commitment to love unconditionally, which she was able to do in the purest sense. In this way she did play an academy award winning role in life as my sister, Kathy."
" Kathy Kaap was a senior at Fennimore High School when I was a nerdy freshman. She had been in school plays and she was someone I wanted to know because she stood out from other students. She was popular and bright, I knew she was an actor and that made her seem more to me. It wasn??t until my senior year in high school, 1966, that I saw Kathy again. Your parents were kind enough to invite Terry Doyle, Ellen Winder and myself to see Kathy in a production of ??Oliver? in Eau Claire. Kathy was so gracious to us all. She took us to the theatrre early, and we met the music director and the actor playing Nancy. But there was also magic that night. The musical was wonderful and during the ??Oom Pah Pah? song Kathy did a fall down one of the stairs cases which brought an ovation from the audience. Three years passed before I saw Kathy again. She and your Mom and Dad made a surprise visit to the opening night of ??Who??s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?? After nearly three hours of a play in which, as the character of George, I had over 50% of the dialogue. It was adrenalin. Kathy came backstage afterward and saw that I was still at a performance energy level. They took me out and spent nearly two hours chatting. Out of 15 main stage productions at Platteville that was the most outstanding moment. I didn??t see Kathy again until 1975 when a friend of mine from Denver and I drove up to Eau Claire to see his ex. On the way back as we neared Reedstown I suggested we stop at your home. Kathy answered the door and after realizing who I was invited us in for a gracious afternoon. She was very interested in what I was doing, and we exchanged addresses. Later that year I got a letter from Kathy about opportunities for directors in Denver. Of course, I thought she would act, but this was impressive to me. Unfortunately I was doing my starving actor routine quitting jobs to perform, and moving frequently, and I lost contact. These may not be momentous occasions, but they are cherished memories for me. As I view the photo gallery it??s like a time machine reminding me of a wonderful person, and her equally wonderful family. "