Kathryn L. (Francis) Schwitz , longtime resident of Stockton, died on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at FHN Memorial Hospital.  She was 97.

Born on September 10, 1924 in Shullsburg, WI, at the Tower House. Kathy was one of five children of the late Frank and Anna (Bennett) Francis. Due to the loss of their mother during childbirth and their father wanting them to grow up knowing each other, Kathy and her siblings grew up at St. Vincents Orphanage in Freeport. Being schooled by German nuns, this is where her deep religious faith began.

They would spend summers with their father at the Jewell Hotel in Apple River where they would get together with other family members to play music and dance. She was a talented tap dancer, dancing in numerous shows in Freeport with her sisters. They all stayed close with their father throughout their lives.

Kathy graduated from Aquin High School in Freeport. She had met Lyle Schwitz before he went overseas during WWII.  After his return, they dated and eventually married on April 17th, 1948 at St. Joseph Parish in Freeport. They first lived in Freeport, then Rockford, before settling in Stockton to raise their family.

Family was the most important part of Kathy's life and she was a proud wife, mother, and more importantly, "Nan" to not just her grandchildren and great grandchildren, but many others as well.  She was exceptionally active in her families lives.  She loved her role as a homemaker, and was an amazing cook and baker. She made everything from scratch and made it look easy. She was also a talented seamstress. Kathy made numerous outfits and costumes for her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed playing cards, reading, writing, especially poetry, math, good company, and a little "splash" of gin in her tonic.

A woman of deep faith, Kathy was a longtime member of Holy Cross Catholic Church. She enjoyed baking dozens of cookies for the yearly Church Bazaar.

Kathy and Lyle enjoyed traveling together.  Hawaii and Las Vegas were great but their favorite trips were to Florida and summers in Bar Harbor, Maine to be with family.

Kathy was one of a kind.  Her love, generosity, sense of humor, and kind and caring way will be missed by all who were blessed to know and love her.  She will live on in the hearts of her adoring family.

Kathy was the beloved wife of the late Lyle R. Schwitz with whom she shared almost 50 years of marriage. Devoted mother of Marybeth (Thomas) Linden of The Villages, FL, Marsha Schwitz of Stockton, Mark (Soukheng) Schwitz of Cumming, GA, and the late Michael, Vicky, and Robert Schwitz. Proud "Nan" of Eric (Regina) Schwitz and their children Olivia and Griffin of Melrose, MA, Megan Schwitz of Grapevine, TX, Nicole (Paul DiPalma) Linden of Sarasota, FL and Daniel (Aline) Linden of St. Petersburg, FL, and Nathan, Nolan, and Chloe Schwitz of Cumming, GA. Loving sister of Rosemarie "Babe" Boyer of Mesa, AZ, and the late Johanna (Leo) Roberts, and Lawrence Francis who was lost at sea on the USS Borie in WWII. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Kathy wished for her services to remain private.  In her memory, please donate to a charity of your choice.