Kathleen Ann Worthmann Oschwald

Kathleen Ann Wortmann Oschwald, died peacefully in her home on the morning of Friday, February 13, 2015. One of two children, she was born April 6, 1946 in Los Alamos, to Edward and Jane Wortmann, who both died in 1998. She lived her entire life in Los Alamos, preceded in death by her grandmother, Ruth Quinlan, who died in 1977, and her sister, Ruth A. Wortmann Hein, who died in 1985. Kathleen is survived by her cousins, Steve Laabs, Carole Jones, and Harry Wortmann.\r\nIn 2001, Kathleen met Don Oschwald in “FEMAville,” following the loss of each of their homes in the 2000 Cerro Grande fire. They were later married at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, where Kathleen served as a Eucharistic Minister for 17 years. Kathleen’s step-children include, Jane and her husband, Bruce Miller of Springfield, MA; Dr. Donald Oschwald Jr. and his wife, Kathryn of Raleigh, NC; Carolyn and her husband, Michael Mellos of Rio Rancho, NM; David Oschwald of Santa Fe, NM; Fr. Daniel Oschwald of Raleigh, NC; Nancy and her husband, Clay Calhoun of Austin, TX; Jim Oschwald and his wife, Kirsten of Albuquerque, NM; and William Oschwald of Raleigh, NC.\r\nKathleen was an extremely independent and creative person, who worked much of her adult life in Los Alamos and Pojoaque. She enjoyed working with her father in jewelry-making, and she later acquired skills in tin and stained-glass works, which she offered at many of the Los Alamos-area fairs. She enjoyed travel with Don and the companionship of her beloved pet poodle, Ami. \r\nAs in her life, in her death she was cared for lovingly by family and friends. Her step-daughter Carolyn provided assistance and care after Don’s death in 2012, and Cary remained a dedicated caregiver to the end. The family wishes to extend special acknowledgment and appreciation to Thea Medina for the past three years of her competent and compassionate care for Kathleen, and gratitude for the guidance of the Los Alamos Visiting Nurses’ Association.\r\nWhen asked where she was born, Kathleen always said “P.O. Box 1663, Santa Fe, New Mexico.” In the early years of Los Alamos, a single post-office box served all residents; each baby born there during the Manhattan Project had “P.O. Box 1663” listed as the birthplace on their birth certificate.\r\nA rosary will be recited on Friday, February 27, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos, with a mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment is scheduled for a later date. The family of Kathleen Ann Worthmann Oschwald has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.\r\n

---