Willadean Katschke, 92 of Thief River Falls, MN formerly of Brooks, MN passed away peacefully on Monday, April 12, 2021 at Oakland Park Communities in Thief River Falls.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 19, 2021 at 10:30 AM in Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer, MN with Rev. Jonathan Dodson officiating.  Burial will be at Presbyterian Cemetery in Brooks, MN.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, 4-6 PM with a 6:00 PM prayer service at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

Willadean Demaris Bope was born August 20, 1928 in LaPaz, IN the daughter of Florence Bope.  She attended school in LaPaz, IN.  Her mother died when Willadean was eleven years old and she was raised by her aunt and uncle, Russ and Lucinda Wingett in LaPaz.  Willadean was lovingly known as "Willie" throughout her life.

Willie was a homemaker worked as a waitress, a cook and enjoyed catering for many special events. She was also a caregiver the majority of her life caring for Dr. Vera T. Hahn, Professor of Speech and Drama when she lived in Indiana and provided day-care for 80 plus children in the Plummer - Brooks area. She was known to everyone as Grandma Willie.

She enjoyed gardening, puzzle books, and was pretty hard to beat at scrabble. She loved playing cards, dancing, listening to music, fishing, and canning.  Willie was a prankster and jokester, had great sense of humor and had fun dressing up for the holidays.  She enjoyed the companionship of a dog.

Willie always loved unconditionally! She was a master gardener and canned every last vegetable because you never knew when someone would be down on their luck. That was just one of the many ways, she could easily share her love.  No one was ever a stranger to her and you were always welcome at her table.

One of the things she was most proud of were her children and grandchildren. She would often say, "just look at what a beautiful family I have raised and I was an only child". She will forever be known for her loving and affectionate hugs. Her departing words to everyone was always I love you a bushel and a peck a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck. A living legacy that will be carried on.

Her faith was important to her and a part of her daily life. She accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior, was baptized at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Plummer, MN as an adult.

Willie was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Plummer, MN and the Red Hat Society.

Survivors include her children Linda (Al) Esterline, South Whitley, IN, Marsha McPherson, Lafayette, IN, Carl (Joyce) Magers, Spring Grove, MN, Rodney (Margaret) Koch, North Judson, IN, Cindy (Lowell) Arlt, Plummer, MN, Ann Tuura, Thief River Falls, MN and Sherrie (Jason) Engen, Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren, Carmen (Joe) Wilkinson, Robin (Don) Chordas, Ed (Angie) Glick, Jason (Jennifer) Esterline, Mark (Cheryl) Fry, Rusty Shepherd, Sarah (Wade) Grinde, Kimberly (Stan) Evans, Trisha Curry, Kim Wright, Nicole (Mikey) Duarte, Derek (Leah) Koch, Amy Erickson, Ross Arlt, Justin (Amy) Rewertz, Jenea (Sajid) Rewertz-Targui, Jordan Engen, Alex Engen; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; special cousin Betty Vogel, Knox, IN; and many other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband's William Magers in 1964, Walter Katschke in 2004; son, Billy Magers; daughter, Mary Katschke; her mother; and several aunts and uncles.