Katherine E. Church

On October 30, 2008, Katherine left her wheel chair and bed behind and danced away to her new home in God's peace at the age of 91. She was born on August 29, 1917, and was adopted by Zura E. and Susan F. (Frith) Upham and raised on Violet Hill Farm in the town of Springvale, near Cambria, Wisconsin, with three other adopted children.

Katherine loved music and reading and helped with the farm chores. At age nine, she caught polio, which affected her legs and left her with a limp. However, she always managed to keep up with others and was involved in 4H and church activities in her childhood, and continued with church and Homemaker activities as an adult.

In 1940, she married John D. Church and moved to a farm, also in Springvale, near Rio. She and John raised three children, Fran, Rod, and Richard. They also provided foster care for thirty other infants and toddlers over the years. John left farm work and became a foreman in the local glove factory. For some years, Katherine also worked there doing sewing. John and Katherine enjoyed traveling around the U.S.A. during summer vacations, and visited all of the lower forty-eight states.

In 1990 they moved to Kaukauna to be with their daughter. In 2000 Katherine was one of the first residents in the St. Paul Elder Services Villa, which she called home for 8 years. Then she was moved to the St. Paul Home, and became one of the first to participate in the SPES hospice program.

Those who survive her and remember her ready smile and sweet disposition include a daughter: Fran Lindemuth of Kaukauna; a daughter-in-law Patricia White Church of Jackson, Wisconsin; a son: Richard (Linda) Church of Houston, Texas and grandchildren
Jessica, Joshua, and Michelle (Ted) Mielke, and great-grand daughters Hope and Chloe Mielke; close nieces and nephews include Shel Ellestad, Priscilla (Wayne) Lewellen, and Steve (Wanda ) Church. She is also remembered by family friend, Judith Herrle, and two kitty companions, Pompey and Felix.

Katherine was the last surviving member of her generation in both the Upham and Church families. Besides her parents and mother-in-law, she was preceded in death by her husband John Church of Kaukauna; an older son, Rodrick Church of Jackson, Wisconsin; a son-in-law, Lester Lindemuth of Kaukauna; a sister, Nina Upham of Menasha; brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert (Helen) Upham and Russell (Frances) Upham; and John's in-laws, George (Alice) Church and Ella (Henry) Ellestad of Madison.

At her request, there will be no service at this time. Her cremated remains will be buried next to her husband's in the cemetery in Rio, Wisconsin with a private family service will be held at a later date.

The family wishes to express its sincere thanks to The St. Paul Elder Services for the 9 years that they made a comfortable home for Katherine, allowing her to be all she could be, and easing her journey to her new peace.

Fargo Funeral Home
400 W. Wisconsin Avenue
Kaukauna, WI 54130
920 766-6200