(nee Seuffert), aged 90 years, beloved mother of Frank, John (wife Mary Jane) and Margaret “Meg” Shaffer (husband Ronald), dear mother-in-law to Linda O’Brien, loving grandmother of Michelle Buehner, M.D., Beth Jackson (Mark), Christopher Buehner (Laura), Amanda McGill (Drew), Jeff Shaffer (Nicole) and Doug Shaffer (Michelle), cherished great-grandmother of Kaylee, Madison, Julia, Layla, Gianna, Dominic, Coraline, and John Robert, devoted sister of Christine Seuffert.
Kathryn was a resident of Willoughby for 65 years and a founding member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church. She worked at Daniels Fuel Co as a bookkeeper until her retirement. She valued and loved family and friends and enjoyed sharing meals with them. She always looked forward to the Buehner and Shaffer family gatherings. She was well known for her famous German potato salad. At 90 she was very mentally sharp, witty, and able to live independently. She kept up with political and community issues and was an avid Cleveland Indians fan. She had many interests including gardening, growing flowers, feeding and watching birds, and baking. Every year the family looked forward to receiving a loaf of her Christmas Stollen and cookies. She collected teddy bears and her great grandchildren loved to wander through her house trying to count all of them. She was very proud of her German heritage and often talked about her trips to Germany in 1939 and 2008. She maintained correspondence with her German relatives and was always thrilled to receive letters and emails from them. Kathryn was touched by the many gestures of kindness from family and friends and will be remembered for her warm smile.
In lieu of flowers, contributions suggested to the National Kidney Foundation; or to the Build a Bear Foundation.
Please meet for the Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 7575 Bellflower Rd., Mentor, at 11 AM. Burial following in All Souls Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS.
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Evans Family
Sharing your sadness as we prepare to say goodbye to your love one. May your memories console you and may God sustain you with his precious promise to someday soon reunite us with our love ones. Thinking of you all.
Alan Buehner
Many wonderful memories. She was a joy to meet and talk with. Always smiling, happy and knowledgeable. One of my favorite Aunts. I have been blessed with her being a part of my life.
Martina Muetzel
We were all really surprised when Berthold told us (he heard it from Julian), that Kathryn had died. Paulina last had contact with her on 4th July. Together, we read the e-mail again and it made us really sad. We didn’t know she was ill.
It was an absolute gift that she was able to live on her own, being 90 years old. Still, it hurts very much when the life of a mother comes to an end.
Even though we don’t speak the same language, I very much felt the connection in our hearts when she came to visit us in Germany in 2008 (I now regret it even more that my English is so bad).
We often talk about how Berthold drove her through the town of Bad Kissingen in her wheelchair and held her hand.
Your mother always loved to remember that, she wrote in her last e-mail. We will have a lot of positive memories from the time with her and carry her and the memories in our hearts.
I would love to give you a big hug right now. I’m doing this from the distance and I am with you and your family in my thoughts.
All the best, a lot of love, and a big hug from Germany
Ralf, Martina, Jonas and Paulina Mutzel
Berthold, Helga, and Julian Sorder
we are sad to hear that your mother passed away. Our deep condolence to you and all of your family.
We liked Kathryn, she was wonderful, an impressive woman and interested in everything. We were grateful that she kept in touch with us within all the years. We often think back to the time she visited us in Germany and we could become more familiar with her. She was the brigde to the family in the States and it was always a great pleasure for us when we got an Email from her.
It was good to hear that she wasn’t ill for a long time and she only had to spent one weak in the hospital and she had no pain.
We will keep her in our mind and good memory. In the St Sebald-church I will light a candle for her soul.
Helga
And now some words from me, Berthold,
Kathryn was for me a bridge to the beloved Greatparents Gregor and Margarethe Kessler. I remember, they were often in thoughts in Cleveland. I cannot imagine, how many tears where going to the river, when your grandmother Emma (my aunt) emigrated in 1925 from our small village with horse drawn vehicle to the train station 20 miles away.
At our stay in Buffalo 2006 you asked me: “Why didnt we come together earlier?”. I had the same question in my mind, but finally we came together. And more. Kay came 2008 to Germany and could meet her aunt (my mother) Antonie. 8 months later she past away. We had a nice time with your mother in Germany. I remember that Kay and I visited Munich. We were in the very famous “Hofbräuhaus”. Perhaps, she and I were a conspicouos couple because of my not perfect english. Two german ladies spoke to us with a remarkable desire to have a conversation. At this moment I reflectet once again, that your mothers visit was a gift to me and for others as well.
Julian wants to add some words as well:
Dear Meg, I always knew that Americans are friendly and welcoming. However when I visited in 2016 your welcoming was unprecedented. I felt so comfortable that Kathrin made her tiny house to my house as well. I remeber that she even offered her bed for me. Of course I refused. In the evenings when the rest of the family has been gone we talked about our different lifes. I learned a lot from Kathryn and the way Americans look on the world. Doing this
we laughed a lot together. I remeber making jokes with her about the miserable sport history of Cleveland (The Cavaliers changed this reccenty). Thinking back I am so glad I visited. So even today I have a fresh and clear impression of her genuine personality. Please know that you have my deepest sympathy as well.
Julian