Katharina "Katie" Gabaldo Obituary (1933 - 2023)

Katharina (Katie) Gabaldo, age 89, of El Paso IL, formerly of Bloomington IL, passed away at 11:41 AM on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Heritage Health, El Paso IL. Her funeral mass will be 11:00 AM, Friday, March 31, 2023, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 527 W. Jackson St., Bloomington IL. Fr. Robert Rayson will be officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery, Bloomington IL. Visitation will be 10:00 AM-11:00 AM Friday, March 31, 2023 at St. Mary's Church, Bloomington IL. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 527 W. Jackson St., Bloomington IL. Arrangements are being handled by Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington IL. Katie was born March 20, 1933, in Ruma, Yugoslavia, daughter of Franz and Magdalena Dreer Panjan. She married John Gabaldo on November 25, 1951, in Grossraming, Austria. He passed away on November 16, 2010. Surviving are 4 children, Olanda (David Copnall) Gabaldo, Belvidere IL; Gerti (Greg) Clark, Bloomington IL; Maria Gabaldo, Lake Forest IL; John (Jean Uhen) Gabaldo, Burlington WI; her daughter-in-law Laurie Gabaldo, Bloomington IL; 9 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren; nieces Elizabeth (Jim) Boulware, Bloomington IL; Katherine Hirsch, Bloomington IL and nephew Frank Hirsch, Stevens Point WI. Katie is also preceded in death by her parents, son Tony Gabaldo, and sister Maria Hirsch Katie was employed by Bloomington School District 87 as a bus driver and baker. As a bus driver, she was known for taking bus loads to extra-curricular activities in addition to her routes. As a baker at Bloomington High School, she was known as "The Brownie Lady". Katie spent her career and life sharing her kindness and love of children. She admired nature's beauty and loved to tend her flowers. She instilled her curiosity and zest for life in her children. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. She will be missed by all who knew her. Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com