Catherine Kay Riel

Catherine Riel, age 92 of Waupun, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 26, 2014 at her Prairie Ridge residence in Waupun.

A Celebration of Catherine’s Life will be held at 6 P.M. on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at Emmanuel Reformed Church, 400 W Brown Street, Waupun with Rev. Calvin J. Vande Zande officiating. Burial will be at Forest Mound Cemetery with a private family ceremony.

Kay’s family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday at the church beginning at 3 P.M. until the hour of service.

A memorial fund has been established for Randolph Christian School.

Kay’s family wishes to thank her special niece Debbie Riel, the staff of Prairie Ridge, and Heartland Hospice staff for their excellent care.

Kay was born on March 12, 1922, the daughter of Dirk and Gertrude (Schaalma) Vander Woude. Kay graduated from the Christian School in East Friesland. On January 22, 1944, she was united in marriage to Walter Riel in Randolph. Kay was employed in the Waupun area over the years at various seasonal jobs, and was formerly a cook at Waupun Memorial Hospital. Working at the Christian Home for over fourteen years, Kay retired at age 62. She was an avid Scrabble player. She loved baseball and faithfully cheered on the Brewers. Kay was a member of Emmanuel Reformed Church where she was active in the Ladies Aid. She will be remembered by her family and friends for her strong faith in Jesus Christ her Lord.

Kay is survived by Walter Riel, Sr., her husband of 70 years, her son, Walter (Charlene) Riel, Jr., Waupun, their son, Matthew (Rachael) Riel, and daughter, Brinley, Beaver Dam; her daughter, Geri (Leland) Preuss, Fond du Lac, her children: Vincent (Traci) Schultz, and their daughter, Alaine, Fond du Lac; Keetra (Chris) Baker, Malone; her sister, Irene (Alvin) Van Loo, Randolph, brothers and sister-in-law: Raymond Van Loo, Beaver Dam, Haleta (Clifford)) Otte, Sheboygan Falls, Wilbert (Joyce) Riel, Waupun, nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by three brothers: William, Peter, and Theodore Vander Woude and her sister Cornelia Van Loo.