Katharina (Engels) Schweininger

Katharina Schweininger, neé Engels, age 90 of Bristol, WI died Sunday, December 20, 2020.  Daughter of the late Anton and Barbara (Karfiesl) Engels, Katharina was born on October 5, 1930 in Mastort Yugoslavia.  She met her late husband, Hans, in Austria in the midst of World War II, and later immigrated to the United States with him in the mid 1950’s.  Katharina and Hans were united in marriage at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Chicago, IL on August 3, 1957.  In 1985, the couple realized their lifelong dream of building their own home on Lake Shangrila in Bristol, WI, where they resided for the remainder of their lives.

During her life, Katharina lived through incredible adversity, which resulted in her characteristic resilience.   Upon immigrating, Katharina attended night school to learn the English language.   Throughout her many years in Chicago, she was a very active member of the Vereinigung der Donauschwaben (Society of the Danube Swabians).  Katharina also enjoyed gardening, crochet, needlepoint, and traditional German baking. She was well known for her Christmas cookies!

Katharina is survived by her only daughter Katy (Richard Jr.) Diaz, her grandsons Richard Diaz III and Anthony (Diana Nuñez) Diaz, and her dear friend Patty Valle.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Hans, and her sister Rosina Kiefer. 

A private family graveside service was held on December 29, 2020.  The Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home and Crematory of Twin Lakes, WI is assisting Katharina’s family.

A memorial mass will be held at 10:00AM on Tuesday, December 27th, 2022, at Our Lady of the Lakes St. Peter's Catholic Church, 557 Lake St, Antioch, IL 60002.