Katherine Ann Wild, 33, of Lincoln, died August 13, 2021 surrounded by her family. The daughter of John Wild and Diana Wild, she was born February 18, 1988, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Katherine’s strength, wit and intellect will be remembered by everyone who knew and loved her.

Katherine endured life-long side effects and multiple surgeries, hospitalizations and medical issues stemming from her diagnosis of Wegener’s granulomatosis at age 12. From that time forward, she spent many days and weeks as a hospital patient at the Mayo Clinic. She received a kidney transplant from her father at age 15.

Nevertheless, she persisted.

Despite missing many school days, including most of her eighth-grade year, she graduated with her Lincoln East classmates in 2006. Her teachers marveled at her ability to keep up through prolonged absences and respected her hard work, determination and optimism.

Those traits continued into adulthood.

Katherine was a voracious reader, movie trivia aficionado and Harry Potter fan girl. She was quick and often quirky with a sharp sense of humor. Her interests were deep and wide, from knitting and collecting nail polish to playing Xbox and Arkham Horror the Card Game. Her childhood interests in dancing, piano and violin sparked an enduring love of music, including her parents’ old-time rock and roll.

Katherine held fond memories of her family’s Make-a-Wish trip to Broadway, a Disney vacation sponsored by her church family, a sisters and friends trip to California and two visits to Harry Potter World at Universal Studios with her dad.

Throughout her life and through it all, she remained resilient, hopeful and endlessly persistent.

Katherine was loved and loved deeply. Her young nephews and their parents were lights in her life, as were her grandparents, aunts and uncles. She was blessed with childhood friendships that stood the test of time and distance. Katherine’s Cairn Terrier Libby and, more recently, her cat Sophie were never far from her side.

She is survived by her parents, sister Elizabeth Wild Thiele (Jeff) and nephews Audie, Cary and Bram Thiele, all of Lincoln, and maternal grandparents Philip and Georgia Harsch, Stanton, NE, along with many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents Arden and Lodema Wild.

A memorial service for Katherine is planned for 1 p.m., October 23, 2021 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, where she was confirmed in the faith in 2003 shortly before her transplant.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Aspen Cremation Service; 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln NE 68504. Memorials to the family will be shared with Katherine’s favorite charities.

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