Katharina “Kay” Schaper, 75, of Kenosha, WI, died of cancer Sunday, August 9, 2015, at Kenosha Estates. She was born on September 26, 1939, in Hamburg, Germany, to Brunhilde and Heinz Schaper. She had one brother, Thomas Schaper of Vancouver, B.C. who preceded her in death. Katharina immigrated to the United States in 1959 and resided in Wauconda, IL, for most of the following 23 years. She moved to Hull, IL, in 1983 where she owned and operated the Colonial Motel and later moved to Quincy, IL. Katharina was a wonderful mother to her four children. She sadly lost her only son, John Knudten in April, 2009. Katharina’s gentle nature and love of people helped her to make friends wherever she went. She enjoyed reading and believed wholeheartedly in life-long learning, entering John Wood Community College in her 50’s. She graduated as a certified nurse’s aide. She then faithfully served the elderly at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, IL. Her sacrificial love allowed her to return to Hamburg, Germany, in December, 2000 for eleven years to care for her own parents at the end of their lives. Katharina lived in Kenosha, WI, in the last years of her life where she grew to love her neighbors at Saxony Manor. Katharina is survived by Andrea Knudten Ciskowski (Leonard), Claudia Knudten (Rob Stutsman) and Samira Ibrahim Gdisis (Mark) and her grandchildren Erica, Thomas, Joseph, Michael, Eliot, Peter, Ryan, Shane, Missy and David as well as eight young and beautiful great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Katharina’s name to Safe Harbor Humane Society of Kenosha, Wisconsin would be greatly appreciated by the family.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Kay’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com