Katherine Halbur, a legally blind 97-year-old resident at SSM Health St. Francis Home in Fond du Lac, is preparing to throw out the first pitch at a Milwaukee Brewers game, June 26, 2024. (Photo courtesy: SSM Health St. Francis Home)
FOND DU LAC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A 97-year-old Fond du Lac woman is getting the chance of a lifetime during one of the Brewers’ games this weekend.
Katherine Halbur, a resident at SSM Health St. Francis Home in Fond du Lac, will throw out the ceremonial opening pitch at Saturday’s divisional rivalry matchup against the Chicago Cubs.
Katherine said she’s been a Brewers fan since she was young. “I remember standing at the ironing board with the radio by my side listening to them when I was nine, 10 years old,” Katherine said.
Katherine’s daughter, Rose Bertram, said that love for the Brew Crew is in her mother’s blood.
“It’s interesting because [Katherine’s] mom used to listen to the Brewers games as well, so I think [she] was raised with that and [she] grew up listening to the Brewers games, and so it’s something that she has always done,” Rose explained.
Katherine, 97, is now legally blind, so she’s unable to watch the Brewers play. But that hasn’t stopped her from remaining one of the team’s biggest fans.
“I have a son, John. He calls me every night,” Katherine said. “I told him, ‘I can’t talk to you, I’m listening to the Brewers. Call back later.'”
It was John who decided to put his mother’s in the running for the Brewers Superfan Spotlight recognition.
“He actually called me a couple of months ago and said, ‘Rose, I have an idea.’ He said, ‘I think I’m going to nominate Mom to the Milwaukee Brewers as the Fan of the Month. I said, ‘Go for it, I think that’s a great idea!” Rose recalled.
John submitted an application and a 500-word essay, describing Katherine’s lifelong devotion to her favorite team.
“He called me several weeks ago and he said, ‘Rose, you’re not going to believe this. Mom was picked!’ So, that’s how it all came to be. We think it’s pretty neat. Our family is very excited,” Rose said.
Katherine said she was shocked to find out she’d been selected as the winner.
I was stunned. I couldn’t believe that my son would put me up to this… I just didn’t feel I was worthy of this at all, but here I am. I was excited,” Katherine said. “I’m just very thankful for this opportunity. I still can’t believe it.
More than 50 family members, friends and caretakers from SSM Health St. Francis Home are traveling to Milwaukee to cheer on Katherine as she throws out the first pitch at American Family Field.
“I’m very proud of my mom and I’m thankful she has this opportunity as well, and that we as a family can surround her and support her,” Rose said.
It will be only the second Brewers game Katherine has attended in her lifetime.
As a blind, 97-year-old great-great-grandma, I hope to hear the Brewers win the World Series. And in that wish, I would like to ask the listeners to join me in prayer to see it happen.
Rose said Katherine has been in training, with staff members helping her practice for her big day.
“The excitement throughout the facility here is just wonderful, so it’s very much a feel-good thing and a feel-good story and it’s a testament that life continues even after someone may enter an assisted living facility or a nursing home,” Rose said.
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