Lois Ree Katz

Lois Ree Katz

UPDATED MEMORIAL SERVICE INFORMATION: A memorial for Lois Ree Katz will be held at on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at her home 14613 Lola Avenue, Waseca. The service will begin at 11:00 AM, followed by a luncheon at 12:00 PM. All family, friends, and those who knew Ree are welcome to attend, and can share a few words at the service if they choose to do so. We look forward to celebrating Ree's life with you! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Waseca United Methodist Church, Waseca Hospice or the Neighborhood Service Center.  Please contact Jillian at [emailprotected] for details. 

LOIS REE KATZ, died peacefully, with her two sons present on November 30, 2014 at the New Richland Care Center.  Ree was born in Kansas City, KS on October 29, 1926 to Oren and Peggy (Koppenhaver) Carroll.  She graduated from Argentine High School in 1944 and received her Bachelors from Kansas State University in English and Secondary Education.   She completed post-graduate studies in logic, philosophy, and literature.  Her work ethic began in junior high school in her parents greenhouse, and she worked her way through high school and college at a variety of clerical jobs.   After her sons were in school, she returned to work as a teacher of English as a Second Language, in Kankakee, IL. However, Waseca may remember her as proud owner of "Rees Forget-Me-Not," a shop which provided arts and crafts supplies, gifts, and lessons from 1976-1985. 

On December 21, 1946, Ree married the love of her life William W. "Bill" Katz, whom she first met at age fourteen.  They were married for thirty-eight years, and had three sons.  Her husbands career required them to move frequently, and their family lived in six different states, until 1970 when they settled in Waseca.  Her last residence was her beautiful home on Clear Lake Drive, which she designed and furnished with antiques and family heirlooms. 

Ree was a woman of many talents and interests.  She was a master gardener, and known for her beautiful garden and the fresh and canned fruits and vegetables that came from it.  She was a talented decorative painter, and could be found in her basement working on projects, until her recent medical complications. She was called "Grammy Ree" by her granddaughter, whom she taught how to sew, bake, and paint.  They spent summer and winter vacations together enjoying these activities.  In her spare time, she could be found reading biographies and history, playing bridge, or attending a Bible study.  Also, she always had a beloved English setter by her side.

Ree was predeceased by her husband Bill Katz, her youngest son Charles Edward "Chuck" Katz, and her two sisters Merry Ross and Orene "Renie" Edmonds.  She is survived by her sons William Carroll "Bill" Katz and John August Katz of Waseca, her granddaughter Jillian Corey Katz of Gulfport, FL, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

No matter where Ree lived, she embraced the philosophy "you bloom where you are planted," and she is forever planted in the hearts of all those who knew and loved her.  Rest peacefully Ree, your husband and son have been waiting patiently to see you.