Catherine Sikora

Catherine Sikora was born to eternal life October 11, 2024 after a short illness.

The youngest child of Anton and Martha Szydlowski, she entered earthly life June 26, 1932.  The Polish south side of Milwaukee was her early home.  She often recounted joyful adventures to downtown and elsewhere in and around the city with her mother, her first best friend.  She graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1949, and married her beloved, John, in 1956.  God called her parents, her sister Irene, and two of Irene’s children home one tragic day in 1958.  She and John, and their five children, moved from Milwaukee to central Wisconsin in the mid-60s, first to Pleasantville and Whitehall, then to Neillsville in the early 70s.  God called her husband, John, to His kingdom thirty years ago this month.  She continued to call East Second Street home thereafter and for many years her son, Tony, resided there to help her remain in the house she loved.  She took great joy during those years volunteering at the local school, and being called “Grandma Katie” by all then and to her last day, a name based in her conviction being “Ma” and “Grandma” are among the highest human callings.  She relocated in recent years, first to Mankato, Minnesota and then to Watertown, Wisconsin, where she met and made many new friends, and grew to love and look forward to weekly bingo, craft sessions, coffee with “the ladies”, Sunday Communion with fellow Catholics in her apartment, pot lucks, and many other activities.  The family is grateful to the Marquardt community in Watertown for many blessings.  While her body weakened as years passed, her mind remained sharp.  She enjoyed letter and card writing to family and others, each missive typically including a piece of juicy fruit gum or a dollar.  She loved to eat, sweets, Polish food and homemade chicken soup and dumplings among many favorites.  She was a long-time member of St. Mary Parish.  The Eucharist and the rosary were lifelong companions, each of which no doubt comforted her through life and family loss.  She greatly missed the many long departed, but loved life and told family that she greeted each day with a nod to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, pictures of which were always fixtures in her residences, thanking God for the new day.

She was preceded into eternity by her parents, her brother Victor, sisters Irene and Caroline, and her husband and lifelong love, John.  She also counted among those who went ahead, and she wanted to meet in Paradise, children lost by miscarriage.

She is survived by her children, John (Stephanie) Sikora, Martha (Rick) Opelt, Monica Mohan, Joseph Sikora and Anthony Sikora, 14 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Jenny and her husband, brother-in-law Gary, Godsons Steve Sikora and John Borucki, nieces and nephews, and extended family, all special to her until her last breath.

Visitation will be at 10:30 AM on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 1813 Black River Road, Neillsville, Wisconsin, with the Mass of Christian Burial at noon and interment at St. Mary Cemetery to follow.

In lieu of flowers, Grandma Katie asked for donations to the Salvation Army or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Catherine’s family with funeral arrangements.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.