Catherine Kielsmeier

Catherine Kielsmeier, beloved wife and mother, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at her home in Forestville, according to her wishes.

Catherine was born in 1929, just before the Great Depression. To make ends meet, she was raised in a multi-generational household with an extended family.

Catherine was passionate about the value of education; she received her BA in Education from San Jose State University, followed by an MA and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Southern California. She worked for many years as a teacher, researcher, and administrator, and finished her career as the Director of Special Education for Santa Rosa City Schools in 1991.

In 1951, while still in college, she met and married Milton Kielsmeier; they went on to have an almost 60-year marriage. In 1970, they moved to Sonoma County, where Milton built the house they would live in for the rest of their lives. Catherine became an avid gardener, producing a variety of home-grown vegetables and flowers, and canned the fruit from Milton’s orchard every year. She loved the local landscape, and being surrounded by nature.

On her retirement, Catherine made several trips to India and other Asian countries. Her interest in Tibetan culture also inspired her to write two books: Tibetan Language Pre-Primer and Tibetan Sadhana Vocabulary. This language preservation work, together with her academic and career achievements, led to her inclusion in Who’s Who of American Women and Who’s Who in the World.

Even in her later years, Catherine was an active member of the community. At 85, she volunteered through the Center for Spiritual Living, engaging in telephone-based prayer and counseling efforts.

Her final days were spent in the company of loved ones.

Catherine is survived by her son and daughter, Barry Kielsmeier and Catherine Windberg, their spouses, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, sister, one niece and two nephews. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and caring nature.

Her family will be celebrating her life privately. Instead of flowers, donations may be sent to the Center for Spiritual Living, 2075 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa CA, 95401, or to Beach Cities Interfaith Services, PO Box 8307, Huntington Beach CA, 92615.