Katherine A Boettcher, age 93, of Rockford, Illinois passed on Sunday, April 28, 2026. She was born October 4, 1932 to Vincenzio and Alice (O’Brien) Mannira in Beloit, Wisconsin. Katie worked for many years at Nelson’s Knitting and then moved on to work at Bishop’s Buffet for 20 years. Katie was extremely hard worker, she loved her jobs. She even made a sock monkey using the Nelson’s knitting socks. Katie was friendly, she enjoyed talking to people.
She is survived by her sisters, Rose Mandera and Marjorie Mannira; nieces and nephews, Tim Schneider, Dianne Goben, Pollyanna Gustafson, David Leonardis, Candice Schweinler, and Angelina Reyes; and good friends Ed Wierzynki and Jan Holden.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Vince and Alice Mannira; uncles, Hubert Blaisdell, Louis Blaisdell, Donald Blaisdell, Frank Mandera, Tony Mandera, Phil Mandera, Joe Mandera, and Johnny Mandera; aunt, Opal; cousins, Johnny Mandera Jr. and Sally Mandera; and niece, Margie Lane-Howell.
A funeral for Katie will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, May 13 at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N Alpine Rd, Machesney Park, IL 61115.
