Kathy Lohmiller is a volunteer and member at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Keshena. She is helping with the parish festival Sunday.
Born in Wayne, Nebraska, Lohmiller moved with her family to Shawano when she was 6 years old. She graduated from Shawano High School, then worked at CRI for 16 years and the Shawano School District for 17 years as a para-professional with special needs children. She worked at Safe Haven for just over a year and now volunteers there.
Lohmiller, who is retired, and her husband, Tim, a buyer at Reinhardt Foods, were high school sweethearts and have been married 36 years. They have two children and two grandchildren and live in the town of Wescott. She goes to Green Bay a couple of days a week to help her daughter-in-law with her in-home day care.
Lohmiller loves to read and classic movies. “I love anything that’s ’50s,” she said. She collects memorabilia from that era and is especially looking for a TV and Look magazines.
Q How long have you been helping at the church?
A “I’ve been a member since 1998 and volunteering for seven years.”
Q Where do you volunteer?
A “I always help at the Thanksgiving dinner. I help cook for funerals. I’ve always helped with Book Share and will take over when Faye Waupochick retires from it. I’m on the worship committee. I’m a Lady Knight and my husband is in the Knights of Columbus. We help with a lot of things. Tim and I are in charge of two fish dinners twice a year that have been very successful.”
Q What is new at the festival this year?
A “They have the Thrift & Gift Shop (a secondhand store on the church grounds with clothing and household goods) and I thought a lot of things are antiques. A lot of things are also retro. At the festival there will be a little boutique of antiques in the church hall. Collectors can come in and look at the crystal, plates, china and some furniture, including two tables that we were told belonged to Al Capone. There is a Duncan Phyfe table and a sewing chair. It‘s a nice community event. The whole day is fun.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “The community at St. Michael is like one big close-knit family. I’ve met the most wonderful people here. When we came here, we felt immediately at home. We started volunteering and it’s been a complete joy.”
