Katie was born January 3, 1916 on a farm in Emmons County, the daughter of Michael and Mary (Schwartzenberger) Materi. She attended country school at South Prairie west of Linton. Katie married Pius Kelsch on September 30, 1936 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Following their marriage, they lived and farmed in Emmons County. They retired in 1979 and moved into Linton. Pius died on May 8, 2007. Katie entered the Strasburg Care Center in December of 2009. She enjoyed crocheting afghans, quilting, which she made a quilt for each grandchild, gardening, baking, playing cards and visiting with her family and friends. She was a member of Christian Mothers, Linton Senior Citizens and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Katie died on February 29, 2012 at the Linton Hospital. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law: Joseph and Mary Kelsch, Fargo, ND; seven daughters and sons-in-law: Annette Kelsch, Linton, ND, Sally and Leo Ell, Oakes, ND, Tillie and Sebald Vetter, Bismarck, ND, Marie and John Silbernagel, Melrose, MN, Bernadette "Bernie" Wagner and friend, John Burgad, Linton, ND, Jane and Bernie Trzpuc, Jamestown , ND and Theresa and Gary Anderson, Grand Forks, ND; twenty eight grandchildren; fifty eight great- grandchildren; nine great great-grandchildren; two brothers: Leo Materi, Strasburg, ND and William Materi, Seattle, WA; three sisters and a brother-in-law: Mary Martin, Linton, ND, Helen Bachelor, Eugene, OR, Mercedes Goetz, Linton, ND and Frank Gabriel, Strasburg, ND and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 2008; two grandchildren: Kenny Kelsch and Bryan Silbernagel; sister, Barbara Gabriel and son-in-law, Alvin Kelsch