Kathie Schaefer, 77, of Port Washington returned to her heavenly home on February 21, 2019. Kathleen was born in Waukesha to Robert and Kathleen Dean on August 27, 1941. She married her loving husband Frederick Schaefer on July 5, 1969. Kathleen enjoyed being a teacher, both to students in her classroom and to her children and grandchildren. In fact, she would teach anyone willing to listen. She loved to travel with her husband, sisters and "plaid" group of friends. She visited places far away like Europe and near like Door County. Giving back to the community was important to her, she served the United Way for 11 years as Executive Director and 9 years as a board member. She also served on The Friends of the Milwaukee Rep Board, the Port Washington Historical Society Board and as a Boy Scout Den Mother getting her own children and many others through the ranks of Wolf and Bear. As her kids got older, she traded in her volunteering at St Peter's School for a full-time job at Port Catholic School. She built and ran their computer lab where she taught students in all grades about how to use the technology. In her later years nothing made her happier than visiting with her grandchildren. For her it was never just a visit, there was usually a project or something fun and educational that she did with them. One of her final days was spent helping her oldest grandson write a paper for school. Finally, Kathie loved talking with family and friends. To her an hour or two conversation on the phone was time well spent. Many people from her sons to sisters would plan conversations with her during long car rides and usually needed to cut her off when they got to their destination. In that time, she would listen to everything they had to say, whether joining in their joy or commiserating in their despair. In all those ways Kathie did her best to be a good wife, mom, sister, grandma, aunt, friend and overall caring person. Kathie will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 49 years Fred, and their sons Paul (Shiela), Thomas (Stephanie), and David (Corrinna). "Grandma" Kathie will also be dearly missed her grandchildren Dean, Kyle, Elizabeth, Zachary, Karina, Ryan and Clara. She will be forever remembered by her siblings Suzie (Thomas) McKale, Mary Ellen (Dale) Mueller, Robert (Karen) Dean, Patrick (Deborah) Dean and Nancy (Jeffrey) Bassindale. She was preceded in death by her daughter Elizabeth and her parents Robert and Kathleen Dean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 6:30PM on Wednesday, February 27th, 2019 at St. John XXIII Parish – St. Peter of Alcantara Church at 1800 N. Wisconsin St. Port Washington, WI 53074 with Father Patrick Wendt presiding. Visitation will be at Church from 4:00PM until the time of service. A private family interment will take place on a later date. Memorial donations in memory of Kathie may be made to the Alpha-1 foundation (Alpha1.org), United Way of Northern Ozaukee County (unitedwayno.org) or Friends of the Milwaukee Rep. The Eernisse Funeral Home of Port Washington is honored to assist the family. On-line condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com