Mom was born Dolores Wozadlo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1929 to William Wozadlo, a printing press operator, and Rose Kuchler, a homemaker. She took the stage name Katherine Lind after Jenny Lind, the Swedish opera singer. From a very early age, she knew she wanted to be an actress.
My Mom’s Career
Katherine Lind studied at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music (voice), the Goodman School of Drama in Chicago, The Neighborhood Playhouse and HB Studios. She did summer stock, Off Broadway and national tours. Her talents ranged from opera to modern comedy, drama to classic tragedy. Roles included: Laura in The Glass Menagerie, Eliza in Pygmalion, Maria in The Sound of Music, Gertrude in Hamlet and Elizabeth in Elizabeth the Queen.
Journal Entries
In 1970, Mom and Dad took a trip to Europe—her only trip abroad–and she kept a journal. She was most excited about visiting Haworth, England–Brontë country. Here’s a journal excerpt:
“walk on the moors in almost blinding rain at times, but we made it to the ‘Brontë Waterfall’ and well worth it.”
Another entry:
“Oh, for another walk up there.”
Mom tucked a sprig of heather in her journal and put another sprig under our glass-topped coffee table at home. She inscribed this in her hardcover, illustrated copy of Wuthering Heights: “In life and death a chainless soul, with courage to endure.”