Kathryn (Kathy) M. Gurtner Riffel (Nee Bernhagen) Age 84. Born to Ethel (nee Dean) and Carl E. Bernhagen on June 13th, 1930 (which was a Friday the 13th!!) She reversed this superstition and lived a very happy and blessed life and was surrounded by love.

She was called home to heaven on May 18, 2015. She was surrounded by her family and passed peacefully at Autumn Oaks, Slinger after bravely fighting a five year battle with Multiple Myeloma and a three year battle with dimentia. She handled everything with grace and dignity and stayed her sweet, gracious, giving self right up to the very end.

Her father Carl passed when she was 10 years old. Later, Alvin Bernhagen became her wonderful stepfather who loved her very much. Kathy's mother Ethel passed in 1964.

Kathy lived in West Bend her entire life and loved the city. She graduated from West Bend High School and went to work at Gehl Company. After some time, she took on various residential cleaning jobs and eventually went to work for the West Bend Daily News where she made many friends.

She married Ray Gurtner in August, 1951. They had three wonderful daughters (Susan, Barbara and Jayne) and was often heard saying "My daughters are my treasures."

She then married Christ Riffel on March 30, 1967. They just celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary with friends and family.

Kathy is survived by her husband Christ, daughters Susan (Brian J.) Becker, Barbara (Robert) Swanson, Jayne (Richard) Hughes and sister-in-law Patricia Bernhagen.

She is further survived by grandchildren Misti (Nicholas) Dobberstein, Stephanie (Peter) Poree, Katie (Nicholas) Swanson, Sarah (Michael) Schmitz, Erika (Peter) Herriges, Brian G. Becker, Lauren (Raymond) Wallner, Parker Hughes and Gracie Hughes. Kathy is also survived by 12 great grandchildren, her cousin Ronald and his wife Lois Schlosser (who were both like siblings to her) and lifelong friend Sharon Clark, as well as many more family and friends. The family grew in size but always stayed close, even renting halls to be all together on holidays!

Kathy is preceded in death by her parents and stepfather, and her only sibling Carl Bernhagen.

We will celebrate Kathy's life on Tuesday, May 26th at Phillip Funeral Home 1420 W. Paradise Dr. in West Bend from 4-6pm with a brief service beginning at 6. A light luncheon will follow. Family and friends are welcome to come celebrate her life with us.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials to Autumn Oaks 229 E. Washington St., Slinger, WI 53086 or to the Alzheimer's Association (www.act.alz.org) would be appreciated.

The family would like to express their gratitude for the excellent care she received at Autumn Oaks, where they treat everyone like family with special thanks to Mike and Grace. We also want to thank Seasons Hospice for helping Kathy and her family on her final journey.