Catherine Schwulst

March 22, 1949 — January 30, 2025

Cathy was called up to heaven way too soon at the young age of 75 after a battle against rare metastatic gallbladder cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Anita Untiedt (Kesler). Her brother Charles "Chuck" Untiedt. Daughter Heather Marie Schwulst. Her Mother and Father-in-Law Walter and Dorothy Schwulst (Goebel) and other Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. She is survived by her husband of nearly 55 years, James "Jim" Schwulst, her daughter Wendy Tremaine (Schwulst), her Son-in-Law Corey Tremaine, her beloved Grandchildren Christopher, Benjamin, Andrew, and Haley Tremaine, her Sisters-in-Law Jeannie Schwulst and Carol Untiedt (Schmidtke), her Brother-in-Law William "Bill" Schwulst and her Nephew and family, William "Billy" and his wife Grace, and their sons Thomas and Daniel Schwulst. She is survived by other close friends and relatives. Cathy was an incredibly strong and caring woman. She knew how to put in the work for things she wanted in life. For example, she started working as a young teenager, saving money to send herself to a Catholic High School, Messmer. After high school, she worked for the same company for 35 years. It changed names a few times during her tenure, but she retired from the Bank of New York, working in the Audit Department. She worked alongside her best friend, Janice, for many years. She met her husband, Jim, while he was in the Army and stationed near where he grew up in Milwaukee. They married in August of 1970. Not long after they purchased their first home together, they discovered they were pregnant with their first child and soon welcomed Heather Marie on January 1st, 1973. She was the first baby born in Milwaukee County that year. Unfortunately, she passed away a short 25 days later from a brain aneurysm. In November of 1974, they welcomed their second daughter, Wendy. Cathy always made birthdays and holidays special. She was a fantastic cook and loved to bake. Jim, Cathy, and Wendy would spend summers camping and had many fun two-week long trips and other weekends making lifelong friends over the years. In retirement, Jim and Cathy purchased their dream camper, an Excel fifth wheel. (I always jokingly say it's nicer than my first apartment.) They joined the "Excel Group" and would take many 4-6 week planned tours all over the US and into Canada. On these trips, they met some of their closest friends. When they became grandparents, they would also go camping and traveling with Wendy, Corey, and the kids, starting when Christopher was only 3 months old. They made tons of fun memories over the years and traveled to many places - South Dakota, Wyoming, Texas, Florida/Disney, Pennsylvania, and other places in Wisconsin, just to name a few. Cathy and Wendy would get together and preplan all the meals, and let's be real, Cathy did most of the cooking! Our last big trip was an Alaskan Cruise. It was her and Jim's 50th wedding anniversary re-do since covid required them to cancel the original trip. I hope her grandkids will remember this trip forever. Cathy was willing and game for almost anything. She went Zip Lining in Colorado, 4 Wheeling in Alaska and Hayward, WI, Hiking at Devils Lake, White water rafting, rode a Harley in Hawaii, speed boating, went up in a hot air balloon, went whale watching, cave and mine tours, water parks, traipsing through Disney multiple times, visiting beaches and historical locations such as Mount Rushmore, National Park visits, Hershey plant, Ford Museum, and many other museums. And much more than this!! Cathy was always there when needed. She was the glue and the rock of the family. She hosted all the holidays and prepared fantastic feasts for them. She would always try to make each of the four grandkids feel special on their birthdays, as she did for her daughter growing up. Cathy set the standard and example for what family does for one another and how sacrifices don't feel like sacrifices when someone needs you. She demonstrated this by caring for her father, who passed away when she was 17. Moving her mother into her house to care for her while she battled cancer and having her Aunt, Uncle, and Brother all stay, too. She was there for her brother and sister-in-law and helped care for Chuck in his last days. She was also the biggest advocate for her mother-in-law for many years. She taught her daughter and those around her how to speak up for something. When her daughter and family needed her, she was always there. Covering when there was an illness in the house or babysitting when needed. Always a great support by showing up at Wendy's sporting events in her youth, and that carried on by going to her grandkid's events. Cathy and Wendy spoke on the phone every day, best friends till the end. The impact of this loss will be felt for years, especially at holidays. Wendy and her dad promised her mom that holiday traditions, camping, and other trips would continue. She was an amazing person and will be missed dearly. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in memory of Cathy at donate.cancer.org with the American Cancer Society. Visitation for Cathy will be Friday, February 21, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Schramka-Densow Funeral Home, 423 N. Main St., Thiensville, followed by a Funeral Service at 5:00 PM.

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Friday, February 21, 2025

3:00 - 5:00 pm

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Schramka-Densow Funeral Home

423 N Main St, Thiensville, WI 53092

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