Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Katherine Trytten Kalke

About

Rutgers University St. Olaf College

Katherine Kalke Obituary

Kalke, Katherine Trytten Age 65, of Milwaukee, died suddenly on Sunday, August 30, 2009, from natural causes. Katherine was a beloved sister, aunt, cousin, wife, mother and "bestemor". After earning degrees from St. Olaf College and an MLS from Rutgers University, Kay worked as a reference librarian and raised her two children. During the last 20 years, she had a flourishing career in the IT Department of EMJAY Corporation, Milwaukee, WI. Kay was deeply committed to working in her community. During her time in Stevens Point, she was active at Trinity Lutheran Church, in the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, and as a board member of the American Suzuki Institute. In Milwaukee, she was deeply involved in Bay Shore Lutheran Church, particularly with the handbell choirs, and a patron of art groups and small theaters in the Chicago and Milwaukee Areas and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Canada. Kay enjoyed swimming, walking, and skiing. She loved her dogs, always Norwegian Elkhounds. Kay was passionate about children of all ages, especially her two grandchildren and her great-nephews and nieces. She valued time with her large extended family and brought considerable energy to reunions, holidays, and gatherings. Kay was a fierce arts advocate and brought intellectual fervor to everything she pursued. She will be missed by all who knew her. Kay is survived by her husband, William; daughters, Celise and Martine; mother-in-law, Gwen; sisters, Judith, Christine, Vurl, Lorre, and Alaro; and her beloved grandchildren, Cassidy and Cait. She is predeceased by her parents Roland and Lorene, and sister, Myrtle Jane. A Memorial Tribute to Kay's life will be held in late September at Bay Shore Luther Church. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the following: the Roland Trytten Scholarship Fund at the UWSP Department of Chemistry, the Next Theater in Chicago, Independent Art HERE in New York, the Alliance Theatre Kendeda Graduate Playwright Competition in Atlanta, or the American Cancer Society Relay For Life.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Sep. 2, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Katherine Kalke

15 Entries

Martine Kalke

September 23, 2009

One correction to the Memorial Service announcement. There will be a Memorial Service at Bay Shore Lutheran Church in Milwaukee on Saturday, September 26. Music will begin at 1:30 pm with the service starting at 2:00 pm.

Paul Sheldon

September 17, 2009

My memories of Kay are from the graduate years when Bill and I were students at Princeton. I heard so much about Kay, and when I met her, she fully lived up to the advance billing. During the intervening four decades we have maintained communication mainly at Christmas time, so I have heard much about the wonderful activities of the Kalke/Trytten family, Kay not the least. My Christmas cards express my personal feelings about the last year, and Kay was always willing to express hers, so I feel that I know you better than the distance might suggest. Her cheeriness and energy will indeed be missed.

Martine Kalke

September 14, 2009

A memorial service will be held for Katherine on Saturday, September 26 at 2 pm (with a musical prelude at 1:30 pm) at her spiritual home in Milwaukee, Bay Shore Lutheran Church, http://www.bayshorelutheran.com/. We invite everyone to join her family at this service. On a personal note, I wanted to thank everyone who posted memories here. I have greatly enjoyed reading all of them - it is wonderful to see how my mother's life touched so many people.

Judith Trytten

September 9, 2009

Dear Friends of Kay, Kay's son-in-law,Mike, has created a website for Kay. You can find it at:
http://kaykalke.urbanecologyscience.org/
I have appreciated the notes I have read here. I spent the last weekend before her death with Kay. We were attending the 80th birthday of our Aunt Lois, which Kay and our sister Lorre had organized. We did have a lovely time, and I will always have good memories of that eventweekend. I am hoping to get pictures from that event to the website, but am currently having technical difficulties. (Kay was always willing and able to help with those, as many of you know.)

Barbara Munson

September 8, 2009

Oh, such fond memories of Kay and family when we all lived in Durham! Kay (& Storm, the Norwegian elkhound)started me on the walking habit, which has lasted all this time. What a vital person Kay was--and I'll remember her that way.
Barbara Munson and family

Mary Coder

September 8, 2009

Condolences from the Coder clan. Fond memories of Kay and the Kalke's from our days at Duke including her superb baking skills and creative camping ability.

Mary Coder

Carol Wylie

September 4, 2009

Kay, of all the dog-walkers, you're the only one who could walk and read at the same time! And thanks for the raspberries! I'll miss you. My condolences to your family. With affection,
Carol Wylie (Milwaukee, WI)

Hildegard Kuse

September 3, 2009

I remember Kay as a young Sunday school child when I taught her at Trinity Lutheran in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. I also remember her as a five-year-old neighbor when I was a college student living on Algoma Street. I enjoyed knowing her through the years. May God comfort all of you in your sorrow.

Phyllis Klein

September 2, 2009

My deepest condolences to the entire Trytten and Kalke families. Kay was a bright light and will be remembered by everyone for her smile and her enthusiasm. May you find peace in your time of sorrrow. Phyllis (Walker) Klein

Veronica McClain

September 2, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Kay, was a wonderful friend to me. She was always there with a smile when I knew I had lost every file on the computer....

Barb Gollner

September 2, 2009

Kay was an incredibly kind and vibrant being. A true angel. I will miss our friendly battle – my longing for heat and hers for the cold. May her breath be seen.

Sue Chapman

September 2, 2009

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Dizonne Williams

September 2, 2009

My deepest sympathy goes out to the Kalke family. May God bless you through your time of sorrow.

Debbi Burger

September 2, 2009

I was lucky enough to know and work with Kay for the past 3 years. She was always cheerful, enthusiastic and sweet. She enjoyed her work and her coworkers and was always involved in whatever fun events we planned. She always had a fun story to tell about her life. I will always remember how her face lit up whenever she spoke about her daughters and granddaughters! She and I shared a love for children and had many fun converations about them. My family and I enjoyed participating in the Relay for Life with Kay and her sister, Judy. I had a fun time meeting Cait and her Mom just a short time ago when they visited the office. Cait had fun typing at my computer and is destined to be a computer wizard just like her grandma! It is just not the same around here without Kay and her smiling face and we miss her terribly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Sincerely,
Debbi Burger

Monica Sanchez, Emjay

September 2, 2009

Kay was a beautiful person with a beautiful spirit. She was full of life and loved to share stories of her family and grandchildren. Her laughter and light will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to her family.

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results