Kathleen Dolores (Tatro) Meier

Kathleen Dolores Tatro was born on 4/26/52 to Eugene and Dolores (Now) Tatro in Antigo Wisconsin and passed away quietly in her sleep on 7/22/25.

She was raised in rural Phlox on a farm on a bank of the Red River. Outside of baby sitting her first employment was picking potatoes for which she received $.50 per filled gunny sack. She graduated from Antigo High School in 1970. While working at the local shoe factory and then at the only supermarket in town, she attended Green Bay Technical Institute where she completed classes in the business skills of short hand and speed typing that were soon obsolete. Relocation to Hawaii was unsuccessful as she spent too many hours on the beach and her money ran out so she moved to Oshkosh for hopefully improved job prospects; she found employ at minimum wage paying Plywood Oshkosh where coincidence introduced her to her future husband. Permanent employment was as a customer service representative for 36 years with Castle-Pierce Printing in Oshkosh; she was considered a trusted reliable employee who often indicated that she was so fortunate to have had an occupation from which she derived such personal satisfaction.

She learned from expansive traveling through 20 countries. She appreciated Russia as “it was so different” and liked the “feel of” Poland. She was amazed by German efficiency and was in second world countries when they suddenly financially collapsed. Climbing to the top of Macchu Picchu in Peru was her favorite remembrance as she believed that she “was so high that she could touch the clouds”. As a sun goddess she savored many quiet beaches of Mexico and the Caribbean and the deserted pristine beaches in Costa Rica and was slender enough to fashion string bikinis with the petite gals on Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro. She walked through a revolution in Paraguay and celebrated with Chileans in Santiago when their dictator stepped down. Her international experiences evolved her political maturity and an easy smile and graciousness allowed her to present as an ambassador of peace. She earned her armband as a world citizen.

Though independent and soft spoken she was a flare for social integration and for 19 years orchestrated an annual pilgrimage of numerous couples to the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival of the banks of Big Muddy in Davenport, Iowa. For 15 years she also organized the best 25 person sheepshead tournament in the Fox Valley. At family gatherings her deviled eggs were a requested favorite.

Fatal flaw occurred at age 10 when she contracted rheumatic fever that caused early mitral valve complications which required a first heart operation at age 22 and two more open heart operations in ensuing decades. Nonetheless, despite such setbacks she always remained physically fit by daily exercising; (she once hiked to the bottom and out of the Grand Canyon in six hours). Her farming heritage and durable work ethic that were inherited from her hard working parents provided a reliable rudder to an ever busy daily schedule and a constructive life style. In her final years though compromised by health issues she remained always disciplined, positive, upbeat and productive. Medication sclerosis precipitated her end but she was always thankful that modern medicine had granted her so many extra years on this plane.

She is survived by sisters Marsha, Carol, Nancy, Sheila, Mary and brothers Art and Kevin and well over a dozen in-law affiliations. She leaves behind her husband, Edward, of 47 years. Missed will be her fidelity, sense of adventure and cooperative spirit.

A memorial gathering will be held from 10:00 am to 1130 am, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at the Wichmann Funeral Home, Laemmrich Chapel, 312 Milwaukee St., Menasha. Inurnment will take place in the Town of Vinland Cemetery.