Kathryn M. Madison
February 1, 1942 -
January 4, 2018
With heavy hearts we are informing you of the peaceful passing of Kathryn M. (nee: Tolstyga) Madison, age 75, of Kenosha on Thursday, January 4, 2018.
Born in Kenosha, she was the daughter of Bernard and Antoinette (Pocius) Tolstyga. She was educated at St. Peter’s Catholic School and was a 1959 from Mary D. Bradford High School. She continued her education and took several extended business classes when she moved to California.
On September 30, 1967, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Walnut Creek, CA, she was united in marriage to Richard E. Madison. After 40 years of marriage, Richard passed away on February 22, 2008.
Kathy began her working career at AMC in 1959. She was employed with E. F. Hutton, Valcon, and Northrup-King Seeds, Gilroy, CA, where she retired in 1990.
She was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church. Kathryn was an avid reader, skilled bowler, although being out numbered in California, a hardy Packer fan. For many years, Kathy and Dick would walk with the celebrities at the Pebble Beach Golf Classic. She enjoyed walking along the ocean shore especially in Oregon. After returning to Kenosha, the Lake Michigan shoreline was a favorite walk of hers.
She is survived by her mother, Antoinette Tolstyga; her sister, Barbara Tolstyga; her sister-in-law, Susan (Ron) Maier; nieces, Anne, Lynne and Laura Tolstyga; her great nephew, Devon; and her step-children, Debbie Leister, Rick and Dan Madison.
In addition to her husband, Richard, she was preceded in death by her father, Bernie Tolstyga and a brother, Ken Tolstyga.
Service Info
Funeral services honoring Kathryn’s life will be held on Wednesday, January 10, 2018. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church, 2224 30th Ave. Relatives and friends are invited to meet at the church for the Mass. Entombment will follow in All Saints Mausoleum.
Posted by:
Deborah Madison-LeisterI met Kathy for the first time the summer of 1965 when I was 12. My dad picked up my brothers and I up at the airport for a weeklong visit. He opened his apartment door and there stood Kathy, waiting to greet us. Dad introduced us and promptly went back to work! Gee Dad, you think MAYBE you could of taken the REST of the afternoon off? So she looked at us, we looked at her and I think we all went swimming in the pool. Meanwhile we’re thinking, “Is this Dad’s girlfriend? He has a GIRLFRIEND???? So we all spent the next week doing stuff like miniature golf, bowling, eating out, etc. Then I noticed some women’s clothes in Dad’s closet and he told me that she just “stored” some of her clothes there because there wasn’t enough room in her apartment, what with her roommates and all. I discussed with my brother Ricky, who was 9 and even HE said “You believe that? She LIVES here! (I was a very naive 12 year old.....) So we had an enjoyable week, with Kathy bunking with her “roommates”. We visited the next summer and I got the sense she was always glad when we left, lol, not to be seen for another. Except the next summer, after they married and moved to Walnut Creek, we came and STAYED! I can only imagine what she thought with 3 kids moving in. Somehow, I doubt they were happy thoughts....anyway at Christmas time, we flew to LA to visit our grandmother, and our mom flew in from Hawaii and took 7 year old Danny back with her. So after that, it was just Rick and I. Life was peaceful with Dad and Kathy which was much appreciated after the chaos of living in Hawaii with our mom and step dad. It was hard for her I’m sure, to inherit 2 kids while she herself was still so young. I left after high school and continued to visit for the rest of my dad’s life after they moved to Morgan Hill. One year, my brothers and I drove up to see them in my brother Rick’s disgustingly dirty Baja Bug, and her mother was there, concluding her visit with them. I enjoyed meeting Bernadette very much, and have always inquired of her throughout the years. When Barb called me this evening to tell me this incredibly sad news I felt my heart wrench. I never though she would be gone so soon. Kathy was a part of my childhood and I, as well as Rick and Dan loved and will miss her. She was the love of my father’s life and I will be eternally greatful that she made him, and us, so happy. I know she missed my Dad terribly, and it’s comforting that they’re together again
Posted by:
Mary JalenskyAnne and Barb, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Kathy. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Posted by:
Charlene PeacheyBarb, I was so sorry to read about your sister's death. We were just talking about her last week when you called. It is so hard to lose family members anytime, but especially as we get older. Please know that my thoughts are with you and your family. Sincerely, Charlene
