Peterson, Kathryn “Kitty” Kritz

Kathryn “Kitty” Kritz Peterson, age 93, was born on October 16, 1932. She was the daughter of Reuben and Aurelia Schoenmann Kritz and raised on the Kritz century dairy farm in Wyoming Township, Iowa County, Wisconsin.

She passed away peacefully on January 27, 2026, at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, WI.  Kathryn did her grade school studies at the Knob’s one-room country school and graduated from Spring Green High School in 1948. Afterwards, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and then worked at the Wisconsin Telephone Company in Madison, Wisconsin, before marrying John Cyrus Shabaz in 1953. While living in New Berlin, WI, on the Shabaz farm, two sons, Scott John Shabaz and Jeffrey John Shabaz, were born. In addition to raising two sons, Kathryn kept herself busy recruiting volunteers, making phone calls, hosting coffees and doing a myriad of other campaign events for John, who was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly (1965-1981) until he was appointed as a Federal Judge to the Western District of Wisconsin. In 1970, Kathryn decided to pursue her interest in the health sciences by taking courses in medical office management at Waukesha Technical Institute and then by enrolling in the nursing program offered by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at its Pewaukee campus. After completing her studies in 1973, she worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at a medical office in Waukesha, WI. After that marriage ended in divorce, Kathryn married Dr. Jack Arthur Peterson in Paradise Island, the Bahamas, in 1987. Following Jack’s retirement, Jack and Kathryn travelled the world on cruise ships, visiting more than 50 countries. Jack became a motivational speaker with Norwegian Cruise lines, where he lectured on women’s health and preventive medicine. During those years, they split the year between Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, FL and Waukesha, WI. They had many friends and family in both places - in Florida they spent time with Kathryn’s sons, Scott and Jeffrey, who lived in Largo, Florida, and in Wisconsin, they attended family reunions and visited their large extended families during the summer months. In both places, they enjoyed playing duplicate bridge and Kathryn achieved the Life Master skill level. In 2010, they moved back to Waukesha and became residents of Avalon Manor. Following Jack’s death in 2021, Kathryn moved to Attic Angel in Middleton, WI. 

Kathryn is survived by her sons in Largo, Florida, Scott and Jeffrey (wife Adrian Ramburan), her three siblings now living in Spring Green: brother Frederick, and sisters’ Mary Monica Kritz (Douglas Gurak) and Marjorie Hottmann (Robert) of Spring Green; her sister-in-law, Patricia Dorner (Herb’s wife), Sulphur Bluff, TX; her husband Jack’s children: Julie Hansen (CA), Chris Peterson (WI), Jennifer (MT), Bob (WI), and Dan and Josie Peterson (WI);  her 9 nieces and nephews: Greg (Tammy), Perry, Dan (Kelly Meyers), Robbie, and Rodney (Kelly) Kritz, Stacie Kritz Peterson (Rob), Julie Hottmann Sawchuk (Kevin), Carl Hottmann (Angie), Renee Hottmann Roan (Matt): and many grandnieces/nephews and cousins. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Reuben and Aurelia (Schoenmann) Kritz, her husband, Jack Arthur Peterson, her brother Herbert Kritz, her sister-in-law Carol (Fred) Kritz, her grandniece Jamie Kritz, her grandparents, Paul and Elizabeth (Starry) Kritz and Herbert and Lucy (Hutter) Schoenmann. 

Following a private service, Kathryn will be buried in the Kritz family plot, St. John Catholic Cemetery, Spring Green. 

Memorials in Kathryn’s name may be made to Attic Angels Association (640 Junction Road, Middleton, WI 53717) or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences available at www.staffordfuneralhomes.com