Katherine “Katy” Tiefenbach Foss, 73, passed away on Tuesday April 9, 2024, following an extended illness. She was born on October 3, 1950, in a World War II refugee camp in Stadl Paura, Austria. She came to America in 1951 with her parents, the late John and Elizabeth Tiefenbach, along with her then four-year-old sister, Anne.
Katy attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from Madison High School in 1968. Over the years, she made a real effort to keep in touch with her classmates and they returned the favor by visiting her in recent weeks. Katy furthered her education at Nationwide Beauty Academy in Columbus and spent more than 30 years working as a hairstylist at a number of local salons. She also enjoyed working at Weidle’s Meats and Delicatessen, because there she saw many fellow immigrant families who spoke to her in German, a language she never forgot. She was proud of her heritage and was active in the Mansfield Liederkranz on the sidelines as a proud soccer mom.
Katy is survived by her two sons, Stephan (Ralene) Foss of Mansfield and Bryan (Tony) Foss of Columbus; along with two sisters, Anne (Larry) Miller and Carol (Mike) Daugherty of Mansfield; and brother, Jeffrey (Shea) of Naples, Fla. Katy’s two beloved grandchildren are Reyna Foss of Tucson, Ariz., and Dalton Foss, who lives in Post Falls, Idaho. Affectionately known as “Kiki,” and “Aunt Sweetie,” she also loved her nieces and nephews, Mindi (Mikey) Brinegar, Libby (Greg) Nickoli, Angie (Jarrod) Daugherty, Drew (Kim) Miller and their children, AJ, Ellie, Trey, Ethan, Ava, Leyton, Julie and Eden respectively, who thought no family gathering was complete without “Aunt Kiki’s” platter of deviled eggs. Katy was also a wonderful dog grandma to Daisy, Sammie, Boone and Snoop Dog.
She was preceded in death by her parents and paternal grandparents, John and Elizabeth Tiefenbach Sr.; her beloved husband of many years, Michael A. Foss; and her Foss in-laws: Red, Wilma, Doug and Michelle.
According to her wishes, there will be a private service for the family. We will then celebrate Katy’s life at the Mansfield Liederkranz Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Advantage Funeral and Cremation Services by Wappner is honored to serve the family.
