Katie "Kate" L. Differt

     Katie “Kate” L. Differt, 50 years, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away Thursday, February 9, 2023 at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa surrounded and comforted by her husband and three children.

     She was Mom to Alex, Aly, and Sam, and dear wife to Jeff. On July 15, 1972, Katie was born to Kent and Carol (Salzgeber) Barsness in Lowell, MA. Kate graduated from Waterford High School in Waterford, WI before studying Physical Education at Suomi College in Hancock, MI and then Early Childhood Education at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. Her passion was teaching and working with children.

     On December 28, 1996, she married Jeff Differt at Norway Ev. Lutheran Church in Wind Lake, WI, and resided in the Salem/Trevor area in WI, and taught at a Montessori school in Gurnee, IL prior to becoming mom to her children.

The family moved to Sturgeon Bay in 2009. Kate then volunteered at Sevastopol School, assisting various teachers in their classrooms and helping cover secretarial duties as needed.

She had a million-dollar smile, an infectious laugh, and was approachable to everyone. Kate was a competitor who didn’t like to lose playing any type of game. She was a momma bear to her three children who she fiercely defended and supported in all they attempted and accomplished. Kate loved being with family, being a mom, watching her kids compete in their various sporting activities, reading, travelling, vacationing on the beach, the sound of the ocean, soaking up the sun, watching the Food Network, cooking for her family, and being with her friends.

Survivors include her husband, Jeff; three children, Alexander, Alyson, and Samantha; her mother, Carol Ronan of Gold Canyon, AZ; father, Kent (Rejane) Barsness of Olympia, WA; sister, Kristen (Bruce) DeBruin of Chandler, AZ; brothers-in-law, Kevin (Ann) Differt of Saukville, Brian Differt of Hartford; mother-in-law, Louise Differt of New Berlin; nieces and nephew, Kayla, Cassie, Mikenna, Olivia, and Nathan.

     Preceding her in death was her stepfather, Richard Ronan and father-in-law, Gerald Differt.

     A service of remembrance will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5, 2023, at Huehns Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Matthew R. Knapp, Sr. officiating.

     Friends may call at Huehns Funeral Home on Sunday, March 5, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service at 3:30 p.m.

     In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to the Boys and Girls Club of Door County or a charity of your choice.

     “There is a huge light from our house that is gone, the one who united all of us together. We love her very much and know many of you did as well. Her life’s journey touched many, and she will never be forgotten.  Thank you for your friendship to her and our family.”

     Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC of Sturgeon Bay are assisting the Differt family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Kate may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com.

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