Kathleen Louise Rodriguez, 76, Green Bay, passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 5:15pm with her family by her side. She was born in Oconto Falls on May 1, 1949 to the late Glenn Lionel Anderson and Frances Lorraine Long.

As a young girl, she lived on a small farm in Gillett with her father, her paternal grandmother and her beloved dog, Shep. Kathleen spent a lot of time with her aunt Irene, her children and many cousins as well as neighbors in the surrounding area. Throughout her life, she went through a lot of hardships which she tried her best to overcome.

She graduated from the Oneida Career Center. Before retiring, she held a position at the American Indian Center on Alcoholism and later a personal caregiver for those who couldn't take care of themselves. She embraced family and friends. Kathleen was gifted a great talent to make beautiful Native American art such as dreamcatchers, mandelas and her famous godseyes. She loved and embraced her Native American roots. Her art is in homes all across Wisconsin and probably the world. Kathleen was also an amazing painter and natural pianist. She had a great mind for unique beautiful creations.

Her family loved her many great dishes, such as homemade bread, 7-layer salad, potato salad and all of the other foods she made.

Kathleen is survived by her sons: Geryl Ninham; Miguel Zapata; Chelo Zapata and Joel Isaiah Rodriguez; her daughters: Leah Ninham Roberto; Maria Zapata Bucholtz; Catalina Zapata Ramirez; Candelaria Zapata; Alicia Zapata and Erika Rodriguez.

She has 50+ grandchildren and some great-grandchildren and loved them all in her own unique way. She held a very special love for her granddaughter Monique and referred to her as an angel. She is further survived by her siblings, Janet Dahl and Margaret Gordon.

Kathleen is preceded in death by her sons, Darrell Anthony Ninham, Mario Everardo Zapata and her siblings Glenda Marquette and Charles (Petey) Gordon.

Family and friends may visit at Ryan Funeral Home, 305 N 10th Street in De Pere on Thursday, October 30 from 4pm until the time of service at 7pm.

A special thank you to the staff at Aurora Hospital, especially her nurses Cole, Nai and Abby for making her comfortable.