Kathleen Faye (Veach) Schleich

Kathleen Faye (Veach) Schleich, 73, of Freeport, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Rockford.

Kathy was born on July 4, 1951, in Freeport at Freeport Memorial Hospital to John and Pauline (Thomasson) Veach. Kathy spent her younger years in the small town of Rock Grove later moving into Rockford where she attended and graduated from Harlem High School. Kathy went on to receive her nurse’s training through Freeport Memorial Hospital, where she not only earned her nursing degree, but also met the love of her life.

Kathy married Patrick Schleich on September 23, 1972, at St. Joesph’s Church in Freeport. Together, with Pat, she made unforgettable memories and had many adventures. Some of her favorite memories took place through their love of traveling. Whether they were driving to Omaha to visit family or heading to Arizona for Cubs’ Spring training. Cruising the Rhine and Danube Rivers and visiting Christmas Markets in Germany and Austria or enjoying time in Ireland, she loved meeting new people and seeing new places. She also enjoyed 52 years of trips to Northern Wisconsin with the 9gE (9 good Eggs). Her time and memories made “at the lakes” will always be talked about and cherished. 

The most exciting adventure Kathy went on, and the one she was most proud of, was being a mom and grandma. Kathy had four children: Jeff, Brandi, Nick, and Danielle and nine grandchildren. The times she had with them were some of her most treasured moments. You could always catch mom/grandma at someone’s game, watching a performance, teaching them how to crochet, or watching the Cubs game with everyone gathered around the dining table. 

To know Kathy was to know her zest for life and her love of all things colorful. She never met a stranger and would talk to anyone. She was a huge Cubs fan, a dog mom to “Tanner” (and many before him), and a lover of yarn and crafts. Creativity came easy to her. She loved being a part of the bowling league in Freeport. She also had an amazing knack for keeping many plants thriving at once. She had a passion for working at the hospital with “Tanner” as a therapy dog. And in her latest position, at Farm and Fleet, where she got to brighten people’s days and make them feel important while ringing them up at the register. 

Kathy is now and will continue to be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her. She was a special wife, mom, grandma, sister, daughter, aunt and friend who always tried to support others, love well, and have fun. 

Kathy is survived by her husband of 52 years, Pat. Their four children; Jeffrey (Sarah) Schleich of Freeport; Christina aka Brandi (Denny) Haukaas of Omaha, NE; Nicholas Schleich of Freeport and Danielle (Brian) Siedschlag of Freeport. Her grandchildren; Addison, Reese and Keaton Schleich of Freeport; DJ, Sebastian, and Damian Haukaas of Omaha; Caleb and Hayden Siedschlag of Freeport. Her four brothers; twin brother Ken Veach of Schaumburg; Don (Dianne) Pasch of California; Rich (Debbie) Veach of Rockford and Steve (Patty) Veach also of Rockford. She is also survived by 15 siblings-in-law and many nieces and nephews. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, John and Pauline Veach, and her grandson, Christian Haukaas.

A visitation is planned for Sunday, February 16 from 1pm-3pm at Burke-Tubbs in Freeport. A funeral will be held on Monday, February 17 at 11:00 am at Burke-Tubbs. A celebration of life party will be held immediately following the service at Wayside Saloon, in Freeport. Please plan to wear something bright and colorful or your favorite Cubs’ gear to the services as we celebrate her great life. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Kathy's memory.