Kathleen Janice Kreger, 18, known to all who loved her as Katie, left the world far too soon on Dec. 29th, 2021.Katie, born July 17th, 2003, was an artist, an animal lover, a determined student in the face of breathtaking challenges, a rebel, and a lover of the macabre and weird. She was bold, fun-loving, and original, sporting bold hair colors and unsanctioned tattoos. She rarely did things the ordinary way; for sliding down a hill, she chose a giant metal bowl over a sled. She was always ready with a devastatingly funny comment. Katie was a sister whose siblings declared her both “the nicest” and “the meanest.” Her sibling wake-up calls involved pinches and the shouted refrain, “Wakey, wakey … here’s a snakey!” Katie’s many pets included “Chub Chub,” her bunny, and her lizard, both of whom she liked to take on adventures around Kenosha. She was apt to take in any injured animal she came across — or any healthy animal that didn’t move fast enough to evade capture. When she visited Florida and found that a red tide had killed many animals on the beach, she examined the carnage with more fascination than disappointment. Katie and her cousins tried to lure an alligator out of a canal for petting, much to their parents’ consternation. As an animal lover, Katie would not eat meat. But she wasn’t fond of vegetables either, and instead declared herself a “breaditarian.”
Katie kept a collection of preserved bugs and bones in her bedroom. She shared a love of rocks and skeletons with her mother, who she resembled so closely people would have confused them, except that Katie, with her father’s height, towered over her mom.
Katie fought her way through mental health challenges throughout her teen years. These difficulties caused her to miss so much school that, by the end of 11th grade, it seemed impossible that she would graduate with her class the following year. However, Katie applied her congenital stubbornness to study and amazed everyone who worked with her by powering through years’ worth of school in just two semesters and completing high school with her class in June 2021.Katie worked at several restaurants in Kenosha and planned to study cosmetology at Gateway Technical College. Katie is survived by her parents, Hollie Johnson and Frederick Kreger, her siblings, Robert Kreger, Mary Ann “Birdie” Kreger, and Frederick “Fritz” Kreger; and her grandparents, Robert and Janice Johnson, and Emil Kreger. She was preceded in death by her grandmother Kathleen Kreger. A memorial service will be held at Crossway Church on Friday, Jan. 7th, at 5 pm. Visitation will be held from 3:30pm – 5:00pm.
Due to illness, it is requested that no condolences are sent to Katie’s maternal grandparents at this time. Donations in Katie’s name to the Safe Harbor Humane Society would be gratefully appreciated. Safe Harbor Humane Society
Casey Family Options Funerals and Cremations
Stephen P. Casey, Owner and Funeral Director
(262) 653-0667
www.CaseyFamilyOptions.com
Sharon Andreoli says:
Holly I am heartbroken for you and your family. I recognize your pain and current challenges. I hope that the love and support of your family and friends will help you through this very difficult time. Please know that I hold you in my heart and I send my deepest condolences. I am grateful Carrie is there with you.
Joll says:
A beautiful tribute to your daughter. Deeest sympathy and compassion to your family.
Brandon Perdomo says:
Holly; your daughter will always be remembered and cherished for the light she brought to any and every room she was in. I hope her memory and love of your family and friends will help you through this. Please know just how greatly she touched the lives of every person who knew her. I will her and your entire family in my heart.
Brandon Perdomo says:
I will keep her and your entire family in my heart.**
Tracie Bloxdorf says:
We are so heartbroken and send prayers and love to Katie’s family. We will forever miss her spunk and kindness when she would walk through our door.
Sarah Kirby says:
Holly, Katie was an amazing human and it’s not fair that she is gone. I remember when we saw you all by the lake walking her bunny and Islah decided that she was a blue witch (a good witch of course) with the power to communicate with animals. With how much Katie loved animals I think she might have been on to something. I am heartbroken for you and your family.
Karlie Kirby says:
Sending all our love and support. We’re so incredibly heartbroken for the you and the whole family. We love you all.
Diane Hansen says:
Fred and family, Hollie and family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Keep your cherished memories of Katie in your hearts and know that she is at peace forever.
Our sympathies,
Bill and Diane
Katie Houghton McMahon says:
Hollie and Fred,
There’s simply no worse nightmare than outliving your child and I cannot begin to imagine how impossibly difficult this is for you and your families. Katie was beautiful and quirky and smart and weird in typical Johnson fashion. She had an amazing life ahead of her and it’s simply not fair that it was cut short. I know that there’s probably nothing that can provide comfort at such a painful time right now,but please know that there are many many people praying for you and you have a beautiful guardian angel watching over you all and probably working on some good pranks to bestow upon you at awkward and inopportune times. Hollie,I’m also praying for your parents. Love to the entire Johnson and Kreger families.
Byron Mathews says:
Fred and family, Hollie and family:
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. No parent expects their child to precede them in death. It is our hope that you may find comfort in the memories of Katie and in the love and support of those closest to you. There are really are no words that can truly express this kind of grief. I suppose that how we respond to such devastation and this current awareness of how brief life can be we can honor a loved one best by living a life that honors their memory by thoughts and deeds that would make them proud if they were still with us. We are praying for peace, strength, and comfort during this trial in your lives.
Our sincere sympathies,
Byron and Ramona
Stan Seianas says:
Fred and Hollie and family,
My deepest condolences for your loss. My heart goes out to each of you in prayer and in tears. I hope that I can be of comfort and support, knowing that this will take time to heal. You have my deepest sympathy.
Love,
Stan
Randy Reusser says:
Fred and the Family,
I did not know Katie, but know the deep sorrow of loosing a young loved one in the Spring of their life. I am praying that God will give all of you peace and comfort over this devastating situation.
Grace, peace, and mercy from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Randy Reusser
Chris & Arlene Lober says:
Dear Frederick, Hollie,
Rob, Birdie & Fritz,
Words cannot express the sadness we have in our hearts for all of you. Katie’s passing is a devastating loss. Know that you are in our prayers.
With love, Chris & Arlene
“The Lord will give [unyielding and impenetrable] strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.” -Psalms 29:11 AMP
MG says:
I’m sorry for the loss of this beautiful and bold soul.