Kathleen Jo Degre

On the afternoon of January 29th, surrounded by her loving family and close friends, Kathleen "Kat" Jo Degre passed away after a short illness, at the tender age of 51.
Born on December 19th, 1973, to Tobin Grunwald and Louann Kampa in Chippewa Falls, Kat was one of eight siblings and spent most of her life in Eau Claire before moving to Elk Mound, where she made a lasting impact on all who knew her.
Kat wore many hats throughout her journey. She owned her very own PI firm, Angel Eyes Investigation, and even worked for the TSA. Yet, her true passion was bartending. In 2016, Kat achieved her lifelong dream of owning her own bar when she opened Kat's Pourhouse in Elk Mound. She was truly in her element behind the bar, cranking "Me and Bobby McGee," and serving up food and drinks. Her regulars and employees, past and present, were like family to her. Her warmth, laughter, and energy were the heart and soul of the bar, and she loved every moment of it.
Kat had an infectious laugh and could always find humor in almost any situation. Her laughter was contagious, and anyone around her couldn't help but join in. Aside from being at the bar, Kat loved the outdoors, especially swimming at Lake Altoona, never too shy to take a giant leap off the Ski Sprite ramp. She loved her country and community, always giving back whenever she could. Some of her favorite things included taking her time to get ready, thunderstorms, the sound of rain, seafood, and an ice-cold Mich Golden but not shopping, she hated shopping.
A spiritual soul, Kat found her connection to God not through tradition, but through her own personal faith. She believed in the importance of living with kindness and compassion. She had a profound love for animals, having many pets throughout her life. Her dogs Smokey, Murphy, and Kong, who have all passed, were an important part of her life. We are certain they were anxiously waiting to greet her on the other side.
Kat marched to the beat of her own drum, standing firm in her beliefs and was someone who lived life on her own terms. She was fiercely independent, and her love for her family and friends was unwavering. She was the type of person who would drop everything to be there for those she loved, no questions asked
While Kat gave a lot to many people and organizations, her greatest gift to the world was her two daughters, Katrina and Cassandra. Though times could be tough, her love for them was constant, and her heart sang for them.
Kat is survived by her daughters Katrina (Robbie) Moore and Cassandra (Kip) Shock and grandson Zander Moore; mother Louann Kampa; sisters Sheryl Scott, Christine (Dan) Talle, and Melissa (Donald) LaCroix; brothers Robert (Denise) Grunwald, Paul (Bev) Grunwald, and Steven Degre. She is also survived by extended family and many, many friends. She was preceded in death by her father and stepmother, Tobin and Georgia Grunwald.
While everyone dies, not everyone truly lives and Kat lived. Her life was filled with twists and turns, love, heartache, joy, hurt, adventure, and, most importantly, laughter. She lived life her way. Kat would often tell her daughter Cassandra, "If you are ever missing me, just wrap your arms around yourself and squeeze, you will feel me, I will be there with you." A perfect sentiment as we learn to live our lives without Kat physically beside us.
A memorial visitation for Kat will be held Friday, February 7, 2025, at 29 PINES CONFERENCE CENTER AND LOUNGE (5872 33rd Avenue, Eau Claire), beginning at 11:00 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. A remembrance service will follow at 3:30 p.m. At the conclusion of the remembrance service, a celebration of Kat's life will be held at KAT'S POURHOUSE (W301 W. Menomonie Street, Elk Mound) beginning at 5:00 p.m. and concluding at 8 p.m.
The family would like to thank the staff at Dove West and Mayo Clinic Hospice for their care and compassion.