Ursula I. Kokott

Ursula Irene Kokott, 82, of Winona, formerly Chicago, passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024, in Winona. 

She was born Ursula Irene Isert in Ratibor, Germany/Silesia (now Czech Republic) in 1942. It was the middle of World War II. In 1945 she lost her brother to starvation. With borders changing, her family was forced to relocate. They eventually landed in West Germany and she grew up in Hamburg.

Ursula was adventurous. At 18, with $40 in her pocket and a new lipstick & handkerchief, she immigrated to the United States via NYC on a boat called the T. S. Hanseatic. She worked as a housekeeper and maid to the owners of Schlitz Brewery in Milwaukee, WI. There she learned English, how to drive, make drinks & cook.

As a house maid, she was given a car for errands. At 18, with a brand-new car, she spent hours along Lake Michigan testing just how fast it could go! The mechanic never understood why the car drove different after our mom got done with it!

At 19 years old she met Franz J. Kokott at a dance in Milwaukee, WI. They soon married, moved to Chicago and had 4 children: Klaus (Renee) Kokott, Bianca (Michael) LaPorte, Heide (Daniel) O'Shaughnessy and Tania Kokott Schmidt.

Those 4 children had 10 grandchildren (Christina, Briana, Michael Rocco, Josephine, Kristiana, Brendan, Neil, Desmond, Remington, and Barrett) and 3 great grandchildren (Rebel, Clyde & Marley).

She loved her children and grandchildren deeply. She instilled a fierce sense of independence in all of us. She taught us the value of learning, hard work and relying on yourself.

Ursula adored all animals. She was always donating to rescues or helping strays. When she was little, she recalled letting piglets into her bed at night; it was warmer under her straw covers than outside. Her dad would get upset, but she would quietly keep allowing them a comfortable place to sleep. Ursula was an avid gardener, cook, knitter and seamstress. There wasn't anything she couldn't cook, grow or mend to perfection. She was funny, humble, smart and persistent. Those traits contributed to running a successful restaurant in Chicago called Laschet's Inn. The restaurant remains successful and her recipes are still in use. Customers fondly remember her dedication to warmth & hospitality.

Upon retirement, she and Franz moved to Winona, MN where she was known as: "The German lady with the walker and the Wiener dog" who walked around Lake Winona every day.

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, her children, her great grandchildren, her sisters-in-law and the many people who loved her. She was proceeded in death by her parents, her siblings, her aunts and uncles, and a lifetime of friends. We hope she is having an amazing reunion in heaven.

If you wish to remember Ursula in a meaningful way: eat dinner with your family, but be sure to keep your elbows off the table; walk your dog; donate to your local humane society…we recommend: https://winonahumane.org/donate; clean something meticulously, anything!...; or give some attention to your houseplants or garden. 

She did simple with a lot of class and laughter.

A celebration of Life is being planned for Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home, 376 E. Sarnia St., Winona. Visitation will begin at 1 PM, with a brief service and time of remembrance at 2 PM.