Catherine E. Kreft

Catherine E. Kreft 102, 509 Washington Street, Athens, died Tuesday, November 13, 2001 at Continental Manor Nursing Home, Abbotsford. Catherine was born March 30, 1899 in Hyde County, South Dakota, daughter of the late Leopold and Veronica (Glodt) Schmidt. She married Cyril Kreft July 26, 1921 in Seneca, South Dakota. He preceded her in death December 21, 1954. Catherine was a homemaker and farmed with her husband, Cyril, in the town of Bern until 1954. Catherine was very active with the Marathon County Commission on Aging and a charter member of the Van Buren Homemakers Club. She was also a member of the Athens area Birthday Club, Senior Citizens, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the Parish Council of Catholic Women at St. Anthony Church. Catherine loved flowers, playing cards and bingo, traveling and was an excellent cook and baker. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to family and friends. Survivors include three daughters, Rita Waluk, Kensington, Connecticut, Vivian (Alex) Mroczenski, Abbotsford and Joyce Ann Kreft, Glenview, Illinois, one son, Donald Kreft, Athens, 17 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren and one daughter-in-law, Sally (Howard) Whaples, Abbotsford. Besides her husband and parents, Catherine was preceded in death by one son, Jerome Kreft, three brothers, Edward, Joe and Frank Schmidt, and two sisters, Mary Kitts and Veronica Parker. The funeral mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, November 17, 2001 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Athens. Rev. Charles Hiebl will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 4 - 8 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens and on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be an American Legion Auxiliary service at 6:45 p.m. Friday followed by a parish vigil service at the Athens funeral home. Tuesday morning Catherine got to meet her latest great grandson, Isaac Thompson and had her picture taken. We will always have the memory of her smiling at the baby.