Catherine Marie (Peitz) Wistrom

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Catherine Marie (Peitz) Wistrom was born March 6, 1948, and died Feb. 3, 2018. Catherine became a blessing to the late Alphonse and Vera Peitz, lifelong residents of Hartington. Catherine had two brothers, the late Jerry Peitz of Washington State, and brother, Jim and Lori Peitz, Hartington. Catherine spent her childhood at the Peitz family home just outside of Harington, where she helped in the house and loved to help her dad outside on the farm. She enjoyed playing the piano, sewing and cooking. All these skills helped her become a wonderful homemaker. Catherine also had a great love of the outdoors. She also enjoyed doing her chores and working together with her father on 4-H projects for which she had many fond memories of doing. 4-H was one of her greatest loves of her childhood. Catherine attended Holy Trinity Elementary, and graduated from Cedar Catholic High School in 1966. She participated in many high school activities, and was well liked by many. After high school she attended and graduated from North East Technical College for secretary school. She also attended auctioneer school in Kansas City, Kan. She used her secretarial and management experience in her work on a daily basis. Catherine retired from working full time jobs in her 50s, due to some health issues. Catherine battled diabetes and poor heart conditions and was doing a wonderful job of managing them. She often woke up with pain due to her diabetes, but she never let that stop her. She loved life and hated to miss out. She enjoyed all she could with a full heart and smile. Catherine had six children who honored, loved and adored their mother, daughter, Angela and Joe Suing of St. Helena; son, Joseph and Trudie Havermann, Sioux Falls, S.D.; daughter, Julia Havermann and Alfred Mutua, Harrisburg, S.D.; son, Daniel Havermann and Tina Paulsen, Sioux Falls, S.D.; daughter, Cynthia and Brandon Novak, Mission Hill, S.D.; and son, David Havermann, Sioux Falls, S.D. Catherine met her significant other Steve Zubko of 27 years in Sioux Falls. She and Steve both had a love for fishing, boating, camping, barbecuing, flea markets, shopping and many road trips. Steve has two children Catherine helped raise and loved very much, son, John and Kelsey Zubko, Sioux Falls, S.D., and daughter, Lorena Zubko, Sioux Falls, S.D. Catherine loved her children. They were her shining glory and her life’s mission. She supported her children and encouraged them in all their work and dreams. She was their rock, their mentor and their angel. Catherine could never turn anyone away that needed help. She felt the need to give a hand to all in need. She made blankets for the children who were living at the Children’s Inn at Christmas so that the kids did not go without. Catherine also made school costumes for plays, and she baked many cookies and pies and cakes for birthday and classroom holiday parties. Catherine also loved to take care of the elderly and disabled. Never once backing off to think of herself. Catherine was willing to give more than she ever received. She taught Sunday school at the First Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls and loved all the children. She was good at keeping a sharp eye for a child in need and wouldn’t have it any other way. Perhaps though, her greatest love was her grandchildren for whom she revolved her life around, and they knew it. She never forgot any of them for birthdays and holidays as well as school events. Catherine had 34 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, in addition to many nieces and nephews. Catherine’s love for her family went above and beyond. It was her family that she lived for. Catherine was preceded in death by her father, Alphonse Peitz; her brother, Jerry Peitz; and two grandchildren, Lincoln Hilt and Hanna Havermann. The children of Catherine Wistrom would prefer memorials directed to Angela Suing, 56210 894th Rd., St. Helena, NE 68774. EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the obituary preferred by children and friends of Catherine Wistrom.