Kathleen MaryJane (Goethe) Baldauf, 74, of Lena passed away unexpectedly on Monday January 25, 2021, at her home in Lena.  Kathy was the daughter of Lester Goethe and Mildred (Koppein).  She was born on February 16, 1946, in Freeport, IL.

Kathy began her education at the Rees rural one room schoolhouse.  She progressed to Lena schools and graduated from Lena-Winslow High School in 1964.  She attended North Central College in Naperville, but starting a family paused her original plan.  Eugene Baldauf and Kathy were married on September 4, 1965.  A short time later, with one-year old Scott in tow, a stay in West Germany was in store.  Kathy would be joining Eugene, who had been stationed there with the Army.  When Kathy and Eugene returned to the states, they enjoyed the births of two more sons, Richard and Dan. She enjoyed her role as a stay at home mom, but after the boys had grown a bit, she attended night school at Rockford College to fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher.  At Rockford College, she obtained her teacher certification and began teaching at Lena Grade School in 1980.  She eventually earned her Master's degree in reading from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb.  She retired from Lena-Winslow Elementary School in 2009.

Kathy and Eugene were members of the Gold Wing Riders Association.  Kathy was a fan of Roy, Dale, Trigger, and Bullet, an avid reader, and active scrapbooker.  She enjoyed laughing with her fellow Red Hatters, chewing the fat with high school classmates at ladies luncheons, the thrill of drum and bugle corps shows, and she loved supporting any of her grandchildren's endeavors.  Most recently she found joy in testing herself against Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune and watching Animal Planet, HGTV, and ice skating events.

Kathy is survived by three sons, Scott (Brenda Albertson) Baldauf of Cedarville, Richard Baldauf of Lena, and Dan (Brooke) Baldauf of Lena, four grandchildren, Tailor (Ashley) Mills of Denton, TX, and Bailey, Braden, and Avery Baldauf of Lena, a brother Don (Sharon) Goethe of Freeport, IL, and a sister-in-law, Marge Goethe of Maryland.  Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers Gene and Jerry, her parents, and her beloved canine family members Heidi, Brandy, and Maggie.

Kathy was a lifelong member of Salem United Church of Christ and recently also enjoyed worshiping at Lena United Methodist Church.  A private service will be held for the family.  A visitation is planned for Wednesday, February 10th, from 2pm until 5pm at the Schwarz Park Blvd Chapel at 608 S. Park Blvd. in Freeport, IL.  Please follow social distancing and mask wearing guidelines.  In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Kathy's name to Friends Forever Humane Society in Freeport.