Kathy Anderson, age 73, of Wisconsin Dells, WI passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at her home.

Kathy was born on April 20th, 1952 in Rice Lake, WI the daughter of John and Roxanne (McNitt) Emerson. She attended Spooner High School and graduated in 1970. She continued her education at UW-River Falls, graduating with a bachelor's degree in education. After graduating, she moved to Wisconsin Dells to begin her teaching career. For 32 years she taught both middle school reading and art. She thoroughly enjoyed the challenges that teaching middle school brought. She furthered her education at Viterbo University, receiving her Master's in Education in 1997. Kathy met a local farm boy, Richard Anderson, and they married in December of 1982. They were happily married for 42 wonderful years. Their union was blessed with two children, Kyle and Keara. Kathy and Rich spent many of their later years traveling the world, going on cruises, bus tours, and visiting many new places.

Throughout her life, Kathy was very involved in the Wisconsin Dells School District, being instrumental in developing the Dells-Iwaizumi Japanese student exchange program. She loved her years of teaching and after retirement, in 2009, she was elected to the Wisconsin Dells School Board as a way to stay involved. Kathy thoroughly enjoyed reading, but her greatest joy came from spending time with her family. Kathy was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia in 1999 and was one of the longest surviving patients of the experimental drug Gleevec, which gave her 26 years of life. In December 2024, Kathy had a health set back that saw her spend over a month at St Mary's in Rochester, MN. Kathy was a fighter and always tried to hold on to her smile. She recovered and came home to spend Easter with her husband, children and grandchildren.

Kathy is survived by her husband Richard, son Kyle (Brittany) Anderson of Dayton, MN, daughter Keara (Kevin) Brecka of Baraboo, WI; grandchildren Nora Brecka, Jack Brecka, Morgan Anderson and Baby Boy Anderson due in November. She is further survived by her brother Michael Emerson of Spooner, WI, sister Cindy (Fred) Holm of Mora, MN, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws Shirley and Clarence Anderson and her brother-in-law John Wimann.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Dells with Reverend Matt Gehrke officiating. Visitations will be held on Wednesday evening from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Picha Funeral Home in Lake Delton and again Thursday morning at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00. Burial will be at Spring Grove Cemetery in Wisconsin Dells following the service. A luncheon will be served at the Chula Vista Riverview Room North.