Catherine Schindler

Catherine E. Schindler, age 92, of Lancaster, Wisconsin, passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster. Catherine, nicknamed Catty, was born July 30, 1924, in South Lancaster, daughter of Celestine "Cel" and Catherine "Rena" (Ertz) Pink.

She attended St Clement Grade School, which her father had helped establish, and she graduated from Lancaster High School in 1942. She earned her Registered Nurse License from Dubuque's Mercy School of Nursing in 1945, graduated as the president of her class and continued to meet regularly with several of her classmates throughout her life.

Catherine married Donald Schindler on October 21, 1946, at St. Clement Church. Their wedding reception was held on the Pink family farm. As Donny and Catty began their family, she worked the night shift at Lancaster Memorial Hospital, getting home in time to get the kids off to school before going to bed, then fixing them supper before going back to work that night. She continued her career at Grant Community Clinic for over 40 years, starting with Dr. Carey in the days of home deliveries and ending as Dr. Hillary's nurse at the clinic, retiring in 1986.

Catherine, a life-long member of St. Clement Church, actively participated in the parish by contributing to the fall festival, decorating the church at Christmas time, and making dozens of Baptismal bibs. She also visited classes at St Clement School to share her love of quilting and her knowledge of the history of Grant County. She was also a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Council of Catholic Women, American Legion Auxiliary, and the V.F.W. Auxiliary of which she was president for 19 years and for which she sold poppies annually and was a flag bearer at the Memorial Day Service.

Upon retiring, Catty became a member of the St. Clement Quilters, and from then on they met at her home twice a week for the next 29 years. Catherine also volunteered at the Lancaster Care Center, playing bingo and singing with the residents. She especially enjoyed the Pink Picnic family reunions held every other year. Friends were very important to Catherine and she nurtured these friendships throughout her entire life. She looked forward to her Tuesday lunch bunch, and she lived for the twice weekly gathering of the quilters.

Catherine was completely dedicated to her six children and their families: John (Cindy), Jim, Mary (David) Peterson, Cheri (Steve) Blythe, Jackie (the late Darrell) Edge, David, ten grandchildren plus 14 great-grandchildren. She is survived by Joe (Shirley) Pink, Mary Lou (John D) Walker, Mickey (Tom) Thill, and sisters-in-law Kay Pink, Dolores Schindler, and Shirley Schwantes.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald, son-in-law, Darrell Edge, granddaughter Kelly Edge, her brothers: Stan (Carol) Pink, Norb (Shirley) Pink, and Mark Pink.

She loved to read, play Scrabble and play cards. Above all else she loved to sew, making quilts, table toppers, sock monkeys, Christmas stockings from old neckties, little fabric wallets, and aprons.

She was fond of reminding her kids on many occasions, "What will be, will be," and when they were confronted with something difficult, she would say, Just offer it up to Jesus. At the end of each prayer before meals she always said, All for Jesus. She often started her days during the last few years by asking, "What's on the agenda for today?"

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, January 10, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster with Reverend John Sasse and Msgr. Tom Baxter officiating. Burial was in St. Clement Cemetery, Lancaster. Family and friends called on Monday, January 9, 2017, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the church where a 1:45 p.m. parish rosary was prayed. Friends also called on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Catherine E. Schindler Memorial Fund has been established. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster is serving the family.