On December 6th, 2025, Katharina Exle concluded her 96-year journey in life.

Born on November 2nd, 1929, in Sekitsch, Yugoslavia, to Margaret and Philip Riess. She grew up during the Great Depression with her older brother Philip while her dad worked as a miller. Surviving the hardships of World War 2, she'd go on to marry the love of her life, Fred Exle, on her birthday in 1948.

During their early years together, Katharina worked as a beautician in Germany. In 1956, she immigrated with her entire family to the United States. They'd move to Aurora, Illinois, where Katharina became known as Katie to many of the new friends she'd make over the coming decades. During her first years in the States, she'd work at a factory during the day while going to school at night to learn English and get her Beautician License. Always yearning for more, she'd adopt a daughter, Heidi, in the mid-60s.

Her hard work would pay off as she'd once again relocate to Northern Wisconsin. On Pine Lake, they'd build the cabins and restaurant that would become Exle's Bar and Grill in 1967. They'd successfully sell in '71 and move to the other side of the lake.

Katharina and her husband spent the years keeping busy. Her knowledge of languages made her a translator for Olympic ski teams at several ski resorts. Eventually, they'd become snowbirds, spending their retirement alternating between Wisconsin in the Summer and Florida in the Winter.

In the 80s, Katharina would become a grandma with the birth of her granddaughters Heather and Hillary. It was then she'd earn her nickname, Omie. As Omie, she'd spent her days helping take care of her grandchildren at her lake house with Fred, who became Opie. Eventually, they'd relocate to Ironwood in the 2000s. As Omie and Opie, they'd live long lives and get to see the births of their three great-grandchildren, Curtis Mewbourn in '06 and Claire Hall and Caylee Mewbourn in '08. They'd get to know them all well and build memories before the end.

Preceded in death were her parents, her husband in 2018, and her son-in-law, Douglas Sobolewski, in 2024. Today, she's survived by her brother Philip, who is now 102. She's remembered by her daughter Heidi, her two granddaughters Heather and Hillary, three great-grandchildren, and countless others who met her along the way and enjoyed her company.

Following Katharina's wishes, cremation has taken place.