Kathleen Frances Thom

Kathleen Frances Thom of Pine Lake passed away peacefully at home on February 18, 2026, at the ripe old age of 103. Born on July 16, 1922, to Catherine Mary Jung Frey and George Michael Frey in Burlington, “Kathy” was the third child of eight children. She attended high school at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Burlington and enjoyed working at the Red Cross Blood Bank in Milwaukee in her single years during World War II.

Kathy married Bernard “Bernie” Thom, who she affectionately called “BC,” in Burlington on April 3,1948. They relocated to Rhinelander in the spring of 1950 where they raised five children on the south side of town. Mom was active in their church, St. Mary’s (now Nativity of the Lord Catholic Church), Heart O’Lakes Investment Club, and the Rhinelander Country Club. 

As a diligent parent, mom maintained her sanity by kicking us outside as often as possible. She dragged us skiing, skating, and swimming. She was our biggest cheerleader during high school sports and always attended our events. She also sewed much of our clothing and knit zillions of mittens, all while being a working mom at Modern Farm Supply for 20 years. The importance of education was an unwritten rule for mom, as was the need to work hard and save money to achieve that education.

Mom loved hot weather, traveling, baking (hated cooking), reading, golfing, knitting, and cross-country skiing. Mostly she loved to be visiting and chatting with family and friends. Mom was one of the most selfless people you have ever met and would do anything for those she loved. She was cheerful, loving, and sweet but also adorably stubborn, tenacious, and the polar opposite of a procrastinator. We heard “you betcha” and “ach du lieber” thousands of times growing up, which we all still say today. We will miss you dreadfully mom. We love you so much. Thank you for being you.

Kathleen is survived by her sister, Phyllis Robers; children Kristine Goedecke of Rhinelander, Laurie (Glenn) Fischer of Mount Dora, Fla., Jim (Mary) Thom of Freeport Ill., Ruth (Bob) Blayney of Littleton Colo., and Tricia (Greg) Tadie of Tacoma, Wash.; Grandchildren Jon and Nick Goedecke, Michelle and Michael Thom, Jeff and Eric Blayney, Mac (Marisa Schwarz) Tadie, and Jack and George Tadie, as well as five great-grandchildren, including her namesake, Kathleen (Leena) Coleman Blayney.

Kathleen is preceded in death by her husband, parents, six siblings — Delores Borgo, Mary McNamara, George Frey, Eileen Remer, Joan May, Paul Frey and grandson, Matthew Thom.

Her family would like to thank several important people in mom’s last years: Toni and the nurses at Stay at Home Instead. They were a God’s send at a difficult time and were exemplary caregivers for mom in her last days. Also important people in mom’s life were Bernadette Eddy, Mary Greicko and the Communion group at Nativity of the Lord Catholic church, Bill and Jane Kowieski, June Heck, Debbie Glebke, and Lesa Servant.

A memorial service for Kathleen will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 11 a.m., with a visitation from 10 to 11 a.m., all at Nativity of the Lord Catholic Church in Rhinelander. Father Chris Kemp will officiate. Interment will follow in the Northland Memorial Park Cemetery. You may leave your private condolences for the Thom family at www.carlsonfh.com. For those who wish to honor Kathleen, in lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, please consider donating directly in mom’s name to either of these worthy charities.

• CAVOC - Cedric A. Vig Outdoor Classroom, Payable by check to CAVOC, c/o Mike Cheslock SDR (School District of Rhinelander), 665 Coolidge Ave., Rhinelander, WI 54501.

• NATH-Frederick Place, Northwoods Alliance for Temporary Housing, Payable by check to NATH, PO Box 913, Rhinelander, WI 54501, or by Paypal at nathnorthwoods.com/donate.

You may leave your private condolences for the Thom family at www.carlsonfh.com. The Carlson Funeral Home, 715-369-1414, is serving the Thom family.