Obit: Drescher-Cattanach, Frances Esther #2 (1918 - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Cattanach, Drescher, Moenicke, Hoeft, Free, Chrisien, Schultz, Duda, Brenner, Anderegg, Lepori, Kohlbeck, Helm, Grottke, Schoessow

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 8/8/2012

Drescher-Cattanach, Frances Esther (25 August 1918 - 4 August 2012)

Frances E. Drescher-Cattanach, 93, of Marshfield, formerly of Loyal and Granton, passed into the arms of her Savior at 1:15 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4, 2012, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

Frances Esther Hoeft was born Aug. 25, 1918, in Kerrobert, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Frank and Ottelia (Moenicke) Hoeft. She was baptized Oct. 24, 1918, in Kerrobert, Canada, and was confirmed May 28, 1932 at Zion Lutheran Church in Granton. As a young child, Fran moved with her parents and her brother, Ray, to the United States settling first in the Shawano area and later to Clark County. She received her education in Granton area schools. After completing her education, she did domestic work until she met Carl Drescher. They were married Sept. 9, 1936, and bought a farm on Pleasant Ridge, rural Granton. Fran also worked as a CNA for many years at Memorial Hospital in Neillsville, and later did home nursing care. Frances and Carl retired in 1974 built a new home and traveled extensively in their motor home, taking grandchildren along on many trips. Carl passed away in 1995. June 7, 2008, Fran married Wayne Cattanach, who passed away Jan. 1, 2011.

She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church for over 75 years, where she was active in the Ladies’ Aid; a member of the Granton, Chili and Loyal Senior Citizens clubs; county center chairman for the Clark County Homemakers and president of West Loyal Homemakers.

Her hobbies included crocheting Afghans for family, making seashell-trimmed mirrors for family and friends, working with her flowers and her greatest pleasures were her family and the many friends she made square dancing.

Frances is survived by 10 grandchildren: David Free of Loyal, Kevin (Mindy) Free of Marshfield, Vicki Free of Las Vegas, NV, Bruce (Michele) Free of Mosinee, Chris Free of Rochester, MN, Debbie Free of Minneapolis, MN, Connie (Chuck) Chrisien of Thermopolis, WY, Scott (Shelly) Schultz of Fountain, CO, Clint (Doreen) Drescher of Manitowoc, Julie (Dave) Duda of Fond du Lac; three step-grandchildren: Steve (Angela) Brenner of Wausau, Dean Brenner of Marshfield and George (Michelle) Brenner of Greenwood; 13 great-grandchildren: Danielle, Alexis, Whitney, Aleah, Dominic, Donavon, Bradyn, Colton, Mikayla, Makenzie, Tyler, Mitchell and Dillon; one great-great-granddaughter, Ariel; her wonderful son-in-law, George Brenner of Loyal; her wonderful daughter-in-law, Janice Drescher of Wisconsin Rapids; one brother-in-law, Ervin “Doc” Anderegg of Loyal; one sister-in-law, Delores Hoeft of Neillsville; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Carl Drescher and Wayne Cattanach; her son, Richard, in 1986; her daughter, Carol Brenner, in 2003; her son-in-law, Donald Free; two brothers, Ray (Esther) Hoeft; and by twin sisters, Arlene Anderegg and Eileen (Steve) Lepori.

Special thanks to her nephews, Bob and Jack Anderegg and her niece, Marie (Jim) Kohlbeck, for all their help and love.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 9, 20112, at Zion Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Granton. Rev. Dan Schoessow will officiate and burial will follow in Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren. Music will be provided by Caroline Helm, organist, and Margaret Grottke, soloist. Visitation will be held at the church, Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. 

Cuddie Funeral Home, of Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.