Catherine Kloostra

Catherine Kloostra was a unique woman with many varied interests. She had the ability to try and fix just about anything from car engines to restoring an old fishing boat. Catherine enjoyed fishing, shooting trap and hunting deer and game birds. During the summer she loved riding her motorcycle. In her younger years, she had achieved Master Mason at Forest Lodge No. 130, F. & A.M. of Wausau.
Catherine was born September 9, 1944 in Grand Rapids, MI to the late Harold and Margaret (Rykse) Kloostra. She was an electrical designer for WE Energies working in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Rapids and in Appleton before she retired. On June 15, 1985, Catherine (Hal) married Barbara (Hoppe) Kelley at First Universalist Unitarian Church, Wausau.
At the age of 69, Catherine passed away at Aspirus Wausau Hospital on Friday, January 3, 2014 surrounded by her family.
She is survived by her spouse, Barbara, her children, Patrick and Janet Kloostra, two step daughters, Debra (James) Ressel, Jo Lambright, one step son, Karl (Terri) Kelley, four grandchildren, one great grandson, sixteen step grandchildren, twenty-eight step great grandchildren, one step great great grandson, three sisters and one brother. She was further preceded in death by one brother, one sister, step daughter, Kathy Schultz and three very special pets, Shammy, Heidi and Snookums.
Funeral services will be 6:00 p.m., Thursday, January 9, 2014 at the Helke Funeral Home, Wausau. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:30 p.m. until the time of services.
"Big Grandma" will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.