Catherine Mark

Catherine ‘Kay’ Mark, 96, of Oshkosh, Wis. passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Feb. 12, 2024. One of eleven children, she was born in Milwaukee in 1927 to Peter and Mary Schwind, who instilled the values of God and the importance of service in her from a young age.

Kay met the love of her life, John ‘Jack’ Mark, in 1948, introduced to her by her brother-in-law. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married on Sept. 10, 1949 in Milwaukee.

Her unconditional love served as the foundation that her and her husband built their marriage and family upon. They wasted no time to start their new family together, and she loved spending time with her five children – John, Sue, Tom, Jan and Bill. From traveling and cooking to creating beauty through cross-stitching, knitting, or crocheting, Kay enjoyed any time spent with her children.

She enjoyed going on fishing trips and traveling with Jack and maintaining her gorgeous gardens – she was never afraid to get her hands dirty. But Kay’s favorite was the role of grandparent. From picking them up after school, seeing the world with them, teaching them card games, to being there on Christmas morning, she treasured time with her grandkids.

Kay’s childhood was rooted in God and the Catholic church, which spilled over into her adult life. She was an active member of St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, devoting her time and energy to making sure the church and Lourdes Academy had everything they needed.

She will always be remembered for being the backbone of her family and someone everyone could rely on. The family couldn’t have asked for a better mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, friend, or role model.

Kay was greeted upon her arrival in Heaven by her husband, Jack Mark, her parents, Peter and Mary Schwind, and her siblings, Dorothy (Sister Marie Therese), Margaret (Sister Peter), Ruth, Joe, Marianne, Lorraine, Pete, Clarence (Cook), Betty, and Francis (Pinky).

Remembered every day by her family John and Marlene Mark, Susan and Gerry Frechette, Tom Mark, Jan Mark and Bill Mark. As well as by her grandchildren Ryan (Tina) Egen, Nichole Mark, Tim Mark, Leah Perantoni, Luke (Aspen) Perantoni, Lauree Frechette, Alisa (Kurt) Skattebo, Katelyn Mark, Stuart Mark and Emily Mark. And her great grandchildren Austin, Katelyn, Josie, Jack, Beau, Morgan, Zoie and Mitchell.

The family will be holding a private funeral, in the presence of the people who were closest to Kay.

The entire family would like to especially thank the staff at Gabriel’s Villa and Moments Hospice for the loving care they gave her.