Cathleen "Elise" Kochheiser

It is with great sadness that the family of Cathleen (Elise) Kochheiser announces her passing on April 24th, 2025 in Olympia, WA.

Elise was born on January 12th, 1963 in Mansfield, Ohio to Roger and Portia Perl. She graduated from Mansfield St Peters High School. Elise attended college at Seton Hill College before marrying Scott Kochheiser in 1986, which began her travels as a military wife and mother. She returned to school and completed her degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in 2001 while raising their two children, Ben and Noel.

Elise dedicated her life and career to caring for children. Harnessing the formative power of the early years, Elise was an award-winning preschool teacher. Her mission was to ensure every child grew up feeling safe, loved and confident. Her boundless energy and creativity ignited wonder and joy for learning in students. She treasured the thank-you notes from her students and their families throughout the years. Devoted to her mission of ensuring children get a good start to life, Elise touched countless little hearts in the decades she served as a teacher.

Elise was a Godly woman and was always active in her faith. She was a prayer warrior and devoted student of the Bible. In addition to her personal spiritual growth, she volunteered in ministries supporting single mothers and fighting hunger and homelessness. She frequently reached out to friends and family to offer encouragement through the highs and lows of life. She enjoyed sending gifts and handwritten letters to let people know she was thinking of them. Especially close to her heart, Elise cared deeply for others’ spiritual and mental health, often sharing her own journey in support.

Elise marveled at the simple things in life and loved dogs, horses and flowers in particular. She was a prolific gardener and beautified each place she called home. She never met a wildflower that wasn’t worth taking a picture of. In her retired years, Elise spent her time in the Colorado mountains, traveling with her husband, and being a doting grandmother.

Surviving family members are husband Scott, son Ben, daughter Noel, Ben’s wife Jessica and their three children Isabel (8), Abigail (5) and Ben (3). Elise has six surviving siblings Dave Perl, Tim Perl, Dan Perl, Ann Kitchen, Carolyn Zajack and Claudia Raff.

Elise loved greatly and made an impact beyond her years on earth. We can only hope to love each other as much as she loved us. She will be missed greatly. Matthew 25:23 – “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

A funeral Mass will be held at St Michael Church in Olympia, WA at 12:00 on May 28th, 2025. Interment will be at the Mansfield Cemetery in Mansfield, Ohio on June 7th, 2025 at 10:00 AM followed by a private family reception.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to continue Elise’s mission by donating to the Mansfield St Peters School Montessori scholarship fund via the Elise Kochheiser (Perl) ’81 Montessori Scholarship through the Msgr. Edward C. Dunn Foundation for Education, 104 W. First Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44902, or online at https://msgrdunnfoundation.org/kochheiser-scholarship