Catherine M. Driessen

Catherine Driessen, age 88, passed away at a local nursing center on Thursday, April 19, 2007. She was born in Neenah on March 7, 1919, daughter of the late Theodore and Josephine (Luka) Beach. She graduated from Menasha High School, and on July 21, 1945 married George Driessen. George preceded her in death in January of 1990. Catherine worked for many years as a custodian in the Appleton school system, and her work there took her to many different schools over the years. Catherine was somewhat of a trendsetter in her own way – she was a former president of her labor union, and was also the first woman in that union to obtain what was normally a man’s job and demand equal pay for her work. She will also be remembered for her love of crossword puzzles, dancing, singing, music, animals, pet birds and bird watching, reading, and watching television game shows, especially Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Her talents in the kitchen were many also, and to this day her family fondly recalls her delicious chicken soup and her chop suey.

She is survived by three daughters: Lynn Driessen, Georgia (Dave) Martell, and Catherine Driessen, all of Appleton; a son: George (Jeanne) Driessen of Appleton; four grandsons: David (Cara) Martell, Adam Driessen, Aaron Driessen, and Nathan Driessen; two great-grandchildren: Reina and Dominic Martell; a brother-in-law: Peter (Kitty) Driessen of California; and four step-children: Kenneth (Margaret) Driessen of Appleton; Doris (David) Fiske of Pine River; and Wayne Driessen of Jacksonville, Florida. Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, sisters Hattie (Ed) Williams and Josephine (Leo) Diederichs, brothers Andrew Beach, Theodore Beach, George Beach, and Dan Beach; and by a step-son Paul Driessen.

Memorial services for Catherine will be held at 6:00 PM on Thursday, April 26, 2007 at the funeral home chapel with Catherine’s nephew, Fr. Carl Diederichs officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday from 3:00 PM until the hour of the memorial service.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231