?Katie was born in Wesermuende, now called Bremerhaven, Germany, to Gretchen and Hermann Hopmann. She came to the United States via ocean liner for the first time at the age of 17, moving back to Germany for several years, and then permanently returning to New York in 1953.

She married Henry Tappe in 1939 before he went off to war. Together they had two children, Hiltraud and Walter. Over the years, she held jobs in sales, served as a governess, and cleaned houses for wealthy families. At one time she also worked in a knitting mill.

Henry passed away in December 1966 and Katie later married a family friend, Hermann Buschmann, in 1969. She moved to Houston in 1974 to be closer to her daughter. She volunteered weekly with Helping Hands at Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) for many years and also belonged to a craft group called Stitch 'n Bitch . She loved to crochet, making many afghans for family and friends.

Katie was a gentle soul who deeply loved her family and friends.

She is survived by her children, Hillie (George) Keller and Walt (Marge) Tappe; her grandchildren, Pete (Nikki) Bausbacher, Karin (John) Benavides, Linda (Charlie) Bell, Tracy (Brian) McDaniel, Christopher Keller, Debbie (Ralph) Esola, Wendy Pardew, and Jill Peace; and her great-grandchildren, Evan Bausbacher, Jack Bausbacher, Tori Benavides, Michael Benavides, Ryan Benavides, Tori Bell, Andrew Bourque, Dylan Bourque, James McDaniel, Elizabeth McDaniel, Michael Esola, Christian Esola, and Robert Peace.

Friends are cordially invited to a memorial service celebrating her life at 10 a.m. Thursday, December 8, 2016, in the chapel of Klein Funeral Home, 14711 FM 1488, Magnolia, TX 77355.