Ann Catherine Schwanke

Ann Catherine (Kugler) Schwanke

Our dear Mom died at age 89 on Thursday, April 26, 2002, in the home where she lived nearly 60 years.

Ann was born December 28, 1912, in Appleton, WI to Anna (Kraft) and Michael Kugler. She received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Appleton. She graduated from Appleton High School.

Mom married Dad, Sylvester (Ves) Schwanke, on June 29, 1935 in the same church. Their first child, Sylvester, Jr. (Vessie) was born in 1936, and died 7 years later from spinal meningitis. Though the loss of Vessie was a painful void that would never be filled, she gave birth to three more children: Ann Marie, John and Nancy. In 1958, she suffered the sudden loss of our Dad. Putting herself in God’s hands, Mom worked many years at H.C. Prange, learned how to drive a car, and guided us through our school years. She was always there for us as we entered our own marriages and raised our families.

Ann enjoyed sports, especially baseball, and was a big fan of the Cubs and Brewers. Wearing the team sweatshirt, she cheered for the Packers and badgers from her living room. She also enjoyed fishing, especially when she could share this activity with John on the lake near his home in Cumberland. Mom’s life revolved around her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved to hear about the activities going on in our lives, joining when she could, and was proud of all of us. Our Mom was an intelligent, self-sufficient woman who taught us to put our faith in God, and grab onto life and make the most of it.

Your spirit lives on in us, Mom.

She is survived, and will be missed dearly, by daughter Ann Marie (Robert) Van Grinsven, Clintonville, with children Michelle (Joseph) Pedretti, David (Nickol) Van Grinsven, Deanna (Paul) Klose; son John (Mary) Schwanke, Cumberland, WI with sons John, Jr. and Christopher (Michelle) Schwanke; daughter Nancy (Keith) Bowers, Appleton, with children Jessica and Jason Bowers. Also survived by great grandchildren Ethan Pedretti, Alison Van Grinsven, Tara Klose, Mikayla and Abigail Schwanke. Mom is further survived by one brother, John (Ann) Kugler, Appleton; sister-in-law Grace (Joseph) Kugler, Dorothy (Lawrence) Kugler, Adelle (Ray) Schwanke, and RoseAnn (Joseph) Freund, along with many nieces and nephews.
Mom was preceded in death by her parents, husband Sylvester, son Sylvester, Jr., son-in-law Robert Kons and grandson Joseph, sister Viola (John) Van Wymeran, brothers Lawrence, Michael, and Joseph Kugler.

A memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2002 at 12:30 PM, at Holy Name of Jesus Church, Kimberly. Visitation will be at 11:30 AM prior to the service. Burial will follow at Holy Name of Jesus Cemetery, Kimberly.

Jansen Fargo Funeral Home
204 E. Kimberly Street
Kimberly 788-6202
www.fargofuneralhome.com