Kathleen Frohmader

Kathleen “Kaye” Marie Frohmader (née Schutz), 73, of Madison, WI, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Kaye was born on May 4, 1952, in the back seat of a car on the way to the hospital, to Harry and Carol Schutz. She grew up in Plain, Wisconsin, and graduated from River Valley High School in 1970. After high school, she attended Career Academy in Milwaukee, WI, where she studied dental assisting and graduated in 1971.

Kaye worked as a dental assistant and later, most notably, as a hair transplant surgical assistant, where she took pride in helping others look and feel their best.

On October 24, 1981, she married the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Frohmader. Together they raised three children and built a life filled with love, laughter, and devotion to family.

Kaye’s greatest joy came from caring for those she loved. She especially cherished watching her children and grandchildren play sports and perform in concerts, always cheering them on with pride and excitement. Christmas was her favorite time of year, and she poured her heart into making it magical for everyone. Her expansive New England Christmas village was the envy of all who saw it, and she delighted in creating cross-stitched stockings for the entire family — heirlooms that will be treasured for generations. The holiday season also brought a special flurry of baking, filling the house with trays of cookies, candies, and other family favorites that quickly disappeared from the table.

Her generosity and creativity shone all year long. She was a talented cross-stitcher, often making personalized gifts that reflected her deep care for the recipient. She knitted hats for the homeless and crafted countless other items for friends and family. Her kitchen was always a place of comfort, filled with the aroma of her cookies, pumpkin bread, poppy seed muffins, and homemade strawberry jam, which she generously shared with friends and family. She loved gathering around the table to play games, where her playful spirit and laughter brought everyone closer together. Whether through her hands, her heart, or her humor, Kaye found joy in giving and in making others feel loved.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Dick; her sister, Barb Schutz; her children, Heather (Dave) Baker, Ashley (Jon) Ward, and Nicholas (Emily) Frohmader; and her seven grandchildren — Alex and Matthew Baker, Paige, Cayleigh, and Austin Ward, and Amber and Owen Frohmader.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Carol Schutz.

The family will gather privately to honor Kaye. A celebration of her life will be held at Maple Bluff Country Club on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.

A special thank you to the nurses and staff at St. Mary’s. Their care and compassion will remain in the hearts of Kaye’s family forever.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in her honor to SSM Health at Home Foundation of Wisconsin.

Her love, laughter, and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew her, and we take comfort in knowing she is now at peace, reunited with loved ones who went before her.