Kathleen A. Kougl

With deep love and gratitude for her life, we share that Kathleen (Kathy) A. Kougl entered into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on December 4, 2025, having been born on April 15, 1940, to Joseph and Myrtle (Pope) Merkt in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Kathy is welcomed into Heaven by her parents Joseph and Myrtle, her beloved son Thomas Kougl, daughter-in-law Gail Kougl (nee Butzke), her brothers Robert “Jocko” Merkt, Dave Merkt, Greg Merkt, and Richard “Dick” Merkt, her sisters Jeanne Jaeger and Donna Seering, and many other cherished family members and friends who have gone before her. We take comfort in knowing they are joyfully reunited.

Kathy grew up in Kewaskum and attended Kewaskum High School. Though she left school before graduation, she later proudly earned her GED from Moraine Park Technical School in West Bend, WI—an accomplishment that reflected her determination and strength of spirit. On September 27, 1958, Kathy was united in holy matrimony to the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Kougl, at St. Matthew’s Church in Campbellsport, WI. Their marriage, founded on faith, devotion, and enduring love, blessed them with a beautiful and growing family.

Throughout her life, Kathy worked in several roles that reflected her creativity, compassion, and work ethic—including as a florist at Kewaskum Floral, a nursing assistant at Cedar Lake Home (now Cedar Community), and later as a proud small-business owner of a cheese shop in Kewaskum. She also applied her creativity in the trade-show display industry as a builder and designer.

Kathy had many passions that brought joy to her days and to those around her. She loved spending time with her family and friends, tending her garden, crafting with her hands, and filling her home and heart with music—always music. Her laughter, kindness, and vibrant spirit will be missed by all who knew her.

Kathy’s legacy of love continues through her devoted husband Robert (Bob) Kougl; her children Mary (Bryan) Kempf, Timothy (Dorra) Kougl, Laurie (Kristopher) Kimball, Andrew (Tanya) Lohr-Kougl, Amy (Rick) Cooley, and Christie (Bradd) Gutknecht; her grandchildren Mandy (Luke) Krueger, Casandra Kougl (Marvin Ryerson), Gabriel (Danielle) Kempf, Travis (Gina) Kempf, Kimberly (Carl) Bacon, Jessica (Bobby) Hernandez, Julie Kougl (Jesse White), Kelley Kougl, Branden (Kristin) DeWolf, Brianne (Jeremy) Schaewe, Krista (Brandon) Probst, Chaisson (Billie) Kimball, MacKenzie Kougl (Dan George), Mallory (Elliot) Thome, Eadrick Lohr-Kougl, Elena Lohr-Kougl, Cam Cooley, and Abbigayle Gutknecht; her many great-grandchildren—Clayton Kempf, Brynlee Kempf, Lila Kempf, Landon Kempf, Leo Kempf, Lewis Kempf, William Bacon, Chloe Bacon, Marysa Hernandez, Hannah Hernandez, Damien Cronin, Aiden Schultz, Malaki Gardner, Zoey White, Kailie Carbajal, Eliana Carbajal, Anthony Hughely, Brayden Schaewe, Brooke Schaewe, Alaric Probst, Wyatt Probst, Levi Kimball, Owen Kimball, Pierce Kimball, Eleanor Thome—and her great-great-grandchild Evelyn Sabel.

Kathy lived a life full of faith, love, resilience, and joy. She leaves behind a family who will forever cherish her memory and carry her spirit forward. We rest in the promise that she is at peace, embraced by God’s eternal light, and reunited with those she loved.

VISITATION: Kathy’s family will greet relatives and friends at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral & Cremation Service, 1315 W. Washington Street, in West Bend, on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

SERVICE: A Mass of Christian Burial for Kathy will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 524 W. Historic Mitchell Street, in Milwaukee. Burial will follow at St. Matthias Catholic Cemetery in New Fane.

Memorials to Kathy Hospice or St. Jude Children’s Hospital are appreciated.

The Myrhum – Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Kathy’s arrangements. Additional information and guestbook may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.