Kathleen M. "Kathy" Mantey

PORTAGE - Kathleen M. "Kathy" Mantey, age 66, died on Saturday, August 9, 2014 at her home in the loving presence of her family.

Kathy was born on February 10, 1948 in Portage the daughter of Albert and Helene (Rubin) Auck. She graduated from Portage High School in 1966. She married Charlie Mantey, in Portage, on September 3, 1977. Kathy had worked at Value Village - Portage, Divine Savior Hospital, was the secretary at Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Economy Fire & Casualty Insurance. She then worked for the Columbia County District Attorney's Office and retired from Columbia County Health and Human Services in 2011. Kathy enjoyed hiking, biking, and snowshoeing, especially at Devil's Lake State Park. Some of her favorite days were spent at Miller Park, Camp Randall, Lambeau Field, and Road America at Elkhart Lake. Her greatest enjoyment was being with her family, friends, and co-workers.

She is survived by her husband, Charlie Mantey, Portage; her son, Jeff (Jill) Rataczak, Endeavor; her granddaughters, Kati and Moriah Rataczak, Portage; her mother, Helene Auck, Portage; her sister, Karen (Gary Sr.) Sheppke, Novato, CA; and her brother, Ed Auck, Laguna Nigel, CA. She is further survived by her very special nieces, nephews, cousins, and her long time and dearest friend, Peggy Peters, as well as many other friends. She is preceded in death by her father, Albert, in 2011, and her dearest and special Aunt, Eleanor Rubin.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Portage with Father Gary Krahenbuhl presiding. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 15, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass, at the church. Inurnment will be private at St. Mary Cemetery in Portage.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to be made to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 307 W. Cook St., St. Mary School, 315 W Cook St., or Greater Portage Youth Education Foundation, P.O. Box 872, all of Portage, WI 53901.

The family would like to give their thanks to Dr. Susan Kreckman, the gynecology/oncology Cancer Dept./Dr. David Kushner & Staff, the nurses of F6/6 at UW-Madison Hospital and the Divine Savior Healthcare EMS & Emergency Dept. for the wonderful care she received over the last 4 1/2 years with her unrelenting fight with ovarian cancer.  Additionally, the family also thanks the staff at Agrace Hospice Inc. for the care and compassion they provided Kathy.