Catherine Reich, age 84, passed away peacefully on Sept. 16, 2021 at Pine Crest Nursing Home in Merrill.
“Kitty” was born on Jan. 9, 1937 in Merrill to John and Irma (VanderVloedt) Dirkx. She was united in marriage to William E. Reich on Oct. 27, 1956 in Harrison. Bill passed away in 2019. Kitty was a beloved teacher’s aide and library assistant in the Tomahawk School District for over 20 years. She enjoyed gardening, knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, walking, and cats. She was a devoted Packer fan as well. Most of all, Kitty enjoyed her family.
Kitty is survived by her children – Michael (Carol) Reich of Wausau, Mary (Lonn) Clements of Tomahawk, Bev “Beats” (Michael) Wyka of Bloomington, Minn., Dee (Pat) Gillette of Tomahawk, Dave (Tracey) Reich of Grafton and Kathy (Ron) Duff of Rosemont, Minn.; 13 grandchildren (Becky Binz, Andrew Reich, Kristopher Reich, Benjamin Reich, Emily Clements, Lisa Clements, Matthew Wyka, Jacob Wyka, Tara Ferron, Meghan Grodevant, Jon Duff and Katie Turner) and 7 great-grandchildren. Kitty also has four siblings that survive: Peter (Kay) Dirkx of Oshkosh, Larry (Marlie) Dirkx of Tomahawk, Sister Dorothy Ann Dirkx, Oshkosh, and Fran (Frenchy) LaFond, Tomahawk.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband – Bill, son – Ken “Punchy” Reich and granddaughter – Beth Fischer, a brother, Joe and a sister, Doris.
The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 12 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021 at St. Mary Catholic Church. Visitation will take place at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of Mass at Noon. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery.
Kitty’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Milestone. There were some that went above and beyond their best wishes for the care of their mom and her cat, Winslow.
Krueger Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Tomahawk, is assisting the family with arrangements. You may view the full obituary and leave online condolences at www.kruegerfamilyfuneral.com.