Marie S. Kabat

Marie S. Kabat, 104, of La Crosse, died on Monday, July 10, 2017 at the Benedictine Manor in La Crosse. She was born on May 14, 1913 in Middle Ridge, WI to Joseph and Caroline (Schams) Arentz. She married Victor Kabat on June 12, 1945 in St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in La Crosse. Marie had worked at Moen Photo, The Gauge, and St. Francis Hospital. She then stayed at home to raise her two children before going back to work as a nurse’s aide at Bethany on Cass until retirement. She volunteered at St. Francis Hospital for many years and enjoyed gardening, playing cards, and great cooking and baking for her family. Chocolate chip cookies were always on hand and she baked apple and poppyseed coffeecakes for every holiday breakfast. Marie was a very caring and conscientious person who threw out a cute, witty comment at surprising times.  Throughout her long life, her faith in the power of prayer, the Mass, and her daily rosary sustained her.

She is survived by two children, Carol Knox (Tom) Abts of La Crosse and Ronald (Carol) Kabat of Anoka, MN, six grandchildren, Jason (Alison) Knox of West Linn, OR, Ryan (Linda Duffy) Knox of Winona, MN, Meghan (Brandon) Lundberg of Gilbert, AZ, Dr. Darren Knox of Burlington, VT, Jonathan Kabat of Brooklyn Park, MN, and Annalee (Joe) Osiecki of Blaine, MN, four step-grandchildren, Keith (Jenny) Abts of Fountain City, WI, Angie (Dan) Nisbit of Winona, MN, Matthew (Jill) Edwards of Pella, IA and Mark (Tammy Harris) Edwards of Zimmerman, MN, three great-grandchildren, Reagan and Madeline Lundberg and Amara Osiecki, eight step-great grandchildren, Cecelia, Kendra, and Charlie Abts, Olivia, Sophia, and Macalister Nisbit, Colton and Jack Edwards, a brother in law Ralph Schwanbeck of La Crosse, and a special friend Kristi Josephson.  She was preceded in death by her husband Victor after over 51 years of marriage in 1996, her parents, and her brothers and sisters, Larry, Eugene (Dorothy), Gary, Harold (Marian), Dorothy Schwanbeck, and infant Rita.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 14, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Rev. Rick Roberts will officiate. Entombment will follow in the St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum, Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 9:30 AM until the time of services. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to Holy Trinity Parish.

Marie’s smile and gentle presence will be greatly missed by all who knew her.