Kristen Kay (McGinnis) Quade, 61, joined her heavenly Savior on June 2, 2020. Kristen was born in Rockford, Illinois on October 12, 1958. She spent most of her life in the Midwest and retired to Laramie, Wyoming in 2016.
Kristen graduated from Warren High School, Warren, Illinois. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, and Spanish from the University of Dubuque, Iowa. She returned to UD twice earning a Master’s of Business Administration degree and later working toward a Master’s of Communication degree. She met and married the love of her life, Mitch Quade, at the University on June 14, 1985.
Kris enjoyed several years of employment with newspapers, radio stations, and in various marketing positions, but her true passion was in volunteer work. She led, started, and co-founded many groups. Those nearest and dearest to her heart included Professional Women’s Network of Dubuque, St. Ann’s MOPS group, the Snack & Gab Prayer Group, Called & Gifted discernment groups, many bible study and faith sharing groups, plus the Martha & Mary Women’s Ministry at the St. Paul’s Newman Center.
Kris is survived by her loving husband of 35 years, Mitch. She is further survived by three beautiful children, Claire, Boise, ID; Hope, Laramie, WY; and Ryan August, Denver, CO; sister Jeanette (Ron) White, Machesney Park, IL, and brother James Konopa, Dallas, TX, plus many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by father, Clyde McGinnis, mother, Bernice (Ritter) Williams, beloved step-father, Gerald Williams, and a niece, Melanie Konopa.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2020 at the St. Paul’s Newman Center, 1800 Grand Ave., Laramie, WY 82070.
A graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery, Warren, IL on Saturday, June 13 at 11:00 AM with social distancing practices implemented. Following, a celebration of life will be held at the Blue Mound State Park pavilion, Blue Mounds, WI at 2:00 PM.
Memorials may be made to the International Endometriosis Association, 8585 N 76th, Milwaukee, WI 53223.
If you would like to visit Kris’s website follow the link : https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/krisquade
To Mitch and 3 beloved children, I offer my deepest sympathies for your loss. I was one of approx. 58 graduates of W.H.S., Warren Il. in the spring of 1976. Kris was one of the top graduates of that class. I am pleased to say I was among her studious friends. We 6-7 scholarly type friends supported and encouraged each other on through all our years of education, not just HS, but elementary and middle school. I recall the smart and athletics kids a like getting together on playgrounds, roller rink gatherings, skiing at Chestnut Mnt, commencement celebrations, proms, homecomings and even an occasional funeral for one or two of our young friends that were called home to be with the Father in Heaven well before we accepted that eternity was our true inheritance as baptized children of God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Kris' mother and mine were friends so even after we left our parents' nests and made our way in the world, I heard about your dearly loved wife and mother's accomplishments. My calls to my Mom were a precursor to social media. A phone call home was the Mom chat line, you should know those calls were the social media of its day. You called home for encouragement and to brag little about accomplishments. What you got was a humility lesson about Kris' master’s degree or some other fact of interest. That info was intended to keep me informed sure, however, also to help put my own 'stuff' into perspective. Mom's love to share the proud yet suspiciously humble and 'so be it' humiliating glories and exploits of their children. Oh, what a gift social media has been for those of us that thought we had lost touch with our roots! I never lost a fondness for my home, my family in the Tri-State area of IL, WS. & IA. or my HS friends. I am fortunate to have several HS classmates connected with me through FB, and that has been a window into my friend’s adult lives that otherwise I had never shared with them. Your Wife and Mother was certainly pleased with her life and being a part of your lives. It is so obvious through what she posted online. Never a disparaging thought of any of life's strife, even though we all know this broken world has many divergences, heart aches and pains to suffer through for all of us. Evidence to that statement is the fact that, most of us online FB friends, gathered from the annuals of Kris' life, never even knew about her battle with cancer. We did see the love and admiration which she had for her husband and children. The obvious other and great love of her life was evident also at least to me. Kris loved her Father in Heaven and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to an old friend. In heaven one day we will all rejoice together for an eternity and put away sorrow of loss and pain we endure here on this earth. I am fortunate, like my friend Kris to have the peaceful, hope & understanding that rejoicing for an eternity in heaven is worth all the pain and suffering we hide from each other here in this world. After all we could bury the pain of the present with the joy of His mercy and grace. Kris through the Holy Spirit concentrate on her stewardship of great gifts here on earth. By God's we can follow that example and do the same. We could all find a little greater peace living by her example while we are about His work until called home. What a fine example of living a Christ like existence through the Spirit. Thank you my dear, departed friend Kris.
To Mitch and children We were so surprised and saddened to learn of Kris’s death from our local paper! A beautiful member of the Quade family left us all too early. Our prayers are with all of you as you grieve her death. I know you have a multitude of Beautiful memories to treasure! God be with you! Lois and Doug Pearce
I knew Kris when we were both part of the Brown Bag Bible Study at St. Mark Center in Dubuque. She was a delight and we all enjoyed the stories of her children's activities--including one of the twins baking pies for the county fair! He faith and concern for others are strong memories I have of her. God's peace to all of you in her family.
Mitch, saddened to see the obituary of Kristen in our newspaper. May she rest in Gods arms now. Prayers for you and your family. Our condolences, Patty and Ken Schmitt
Mitch, Claire, Hope and Gus, we want you all to know we are sending thoughts and prayers for strength and healing as you move through the pain of your loss onto the happiness of your memories.
Dear Mitch, Hope, Claire, and Gus, I am so sorry for your loss. I am praying for you all. It is the most difficult thing I have been through; to experience the death one that we love so much. Be gentile with each other, and with yourselves. Grief is so hard. Kris is so exceptional in so many ways. I am blessed to have had time to get to know her, and I look forward to the day I will see her again. She did great things for the Kingdom of God. May she receive her reward now. May Jesus receive her in His arms. Amen with deepest sympathy and love Fr. Simon
Oh dear family of Kris...what a beautiful picture of Kris, capturing her spirit of joy and enthusiasm and openness to every aspect of life that came her way! I will be thanking God for the precious gift of her friendship in this life with every remembrance of her. I know that if it's possible [and I am sure that it must be], her beauty now is far in excess even of what is on display in that brilliant picture of her. Holding you all in my heart and prayers, Suzy Gilfillan
I only knew Kris through scrapbooking. She drove me back from camp crop a lot once, and I marveled at how much she seemed to seize life with gusto. I don’t remember the details but she talked about so many adventures. My heart is heavy for all those who were close to her. May she Rest In Peace.
Mitch and kids, I am so sorry for your loss. Kris was a powerhouse. Well organized and always willing to help. I haven’t seen her since you moved from Stoughton. My prayers are with you at this difficult time. She died way to young. But lived to the fullest throughout her life. Teresa Weaver
We are so sorry that your beautiful wife and mother has passed away. Kris was so faith-filled, inspiring, and accomplished. We had no idea she had accomplished so much in her short life, but she made the most of every moment that God gave her, and used her gifts to the fullest. We didn't know that she had cancer until recently. Her death, as her life, we're sure was grace-filled and gracious. God bless you all, Mitch, Claire, Hope, and Gus, with the Lord's comfort and peace. So glad you have many beautiful memories to bring you joy. With love, Laurie and Tom Mecum, St. Ann's, Stoughton
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Will offer petitions for your well being. PEACE AND ALL GOOD RON AND DORIS MCAULIFFE
Sending our deepest sympathy to Mitch and the family. God's peace and comfort to you. Kris was such a kind soul and always so friendly.
I only really knew Kris for a short while but she immediately made me feel like family. She led the Newman Center Martha and Mary group and despite being a new and young member, she made me feel so welcome, immediately, along with her daughter Hope and the other awesome members. I was always impressed by her dedication and the time she gave to the group even in her most tired state. Rest in peace dear, Kris. Thanks for being a wonderful role model of Christ's love and dedication to us all. To her family, I pray for your peace and comfort. Much love, Halle Schaneman.
Dear Mitch, Hope, Claire, and Gus: We send our heartfelt condolences for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. It was a privilege to know Kris. She brought beauty and light into so many lives including ours. Love, Cindy, Joe, and Marcela
Kristen was my dearest friend for over fifty years. My heart is broken. She touched so many lives and will certainly be missed. Godspeed .
We here at Blessed Sacrament in Madison are sad to learn of her passing. She was an amazing woman! Rest In Peace!
Mitch Hope Claire and Gus, I offer my condolences to each of you. I know her illness has been difficult as you anticipated her death but want you all to know that she left this world a much better place as she was a gifted human being! I feel blessed to have known her and can only imagine how much she blessed you as wife and mom. I admire you all as you cared for her. Know that many will share your sadness. Jeanie Niemoller
Kris always had an infectious smile, she would talk to anyone. I only knew her from 8th grade on, but we became friends. Many a sleepover, some with just us and some with other friends like Jan, Peggy, Carla & Paula to name just a few. My heart goes out to her family, know that she is whole again and free off pain and suffering. She is with her Savior. We had a small class that graduated in 1976, I think only 62. We have now lost 3 classmates, my heart is heavy. Kris will be missed, but I will never forget her kindness, friendship, and that beaming smile. Go rest my friend, until we meet again.
So sorry to hear about Kris! She was always so kind to me. I loved getting to know your family babysitting and helping Kris with Mary Kay. I will always remember her fondly and sending much love and prayers to your family.
Kris was a childhood friend from Warren and also a cousin through the McGinnis side of the family. We only re-connected in the last year or so. She was wonderful and will be missed by many.
Our hearts go out to you Mitch, Hope, Claire and Gus. Kris lives on through all of us whom she touched. Mary, Mike and Rich Guenzel
Heaven received a beautiful soul.... my deepest sympathies to the family.... peace...❤️
So very sorry to hear about Kris. She was such a beautiful person inside and out. She will be missed beyond measure.❤️
This just breaks my heart! I can’t tell you how sorry I am for you and your family.
Kris and I met at the University of Dubuque. Though we joined different sororities, we became very good friends, a girl from Warren and girl from Galena. We shared weekends at each others homes. Kris became one of my family. We shared many happy times and some not so happy, but we made it through After graduation, as often happens, we went our separate ways. We reconnected on Facebook. Enjoyed watching her children grow. With a heavy heart, I send my deepest sympathy, prayers, and love. Laura (Dittmar) Gray