Catherine Kertzman (Cathy) died peacefully in her sleep on November 2, 2026, under the expert care of Elizabeth Residence in partnership with Compassus Hospice Care in Franklin, Wisconsin. Everyone who took care of Cathy had only kind words for her. She had progressively serious health struggles over the past ten years, but Cathy met these challenges with strength and stoicism, finally making her transition at age 96.

Cathy is survived by five children: Peter (Rhonda), Chris (Lori), Patricia, Timothy (Cindy) and Joseph (Tricia) Kertzman; as well as ten grandchildren, namely Gwendolyn, Felicia, Michael, Andrew, Jack, Maya, Matthew, Daniel, Kathleen, and Cora. Cathy has also been blessed with seven great grandchildren and many close relatives and friends.

Cathy was born in 1930 in Winona, Minnesota, to Chris and Lucina (Retterath) Stiever. After graduating from high school, Cathy attended nursing school in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where she became a registered nurse. Although Cathy experienced a varied nursing career, most of her experience and her passion was in geriatrics. She became a Nurse Manager at Mount Carmel Nursing Home for many years.

After retiring at age 70, Cathy volunteered at West Allis Hospital, the Milwaukee Zoo, Reading Buddies, the Guest House of Milwaukee, and the House of Peace. She was also involved in several progressive women’s groups that targeted people in need such as OWLs (Older Women’s League) whose motto was “We Give a Hoot!” as well as the League of Women Voters. Cathy’s activism with her husband Jack began in the 60s and 70s with the grassroots Fair Housing Initiative. They were quite active in civil rights for all people their entire lives. For example, while living in Minnesota, they sponsored a Vietnamese couple who had fled their war-torn country. Cathy and Jack assisted them in the search for housing and employment and aided them in reuniting with their children. Cathy and Jack instilled these values in their children.

Cathy was a well-rounded, multi-faceted person. She attended water aerobics and other exercise classes in her forties and fifties and strength training with a small group of seniors in her seventies. She  was also an avid reader and a good cook. Cathy was a vibrant, loving, and giving woman whose life touched many people. Her spirit lives on in our hearts.

There will be a private family service officiated by a priest from St. Alphonsus. Contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital would be greatly appreciated, as it was Cathy’s favorite charity.