Catherine B. Wagner, age 102, Park Falls

Catherine B. Wagner, age 102, of Park Falls, WI, passed away on Saturday, October 10,

2026, at the Circle of Life Hospice House, Stevens Point, WI after a short illness. Visitation will

be held from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11:00 AM on Friday,

October 23, 2026 - St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Park Falls, WI, with Rev. Raja Birusu

officiating. Interment will be at the Nola Cemetery, Park Falls, WI. Birch Street Funeral Home

has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Mom was born June 2, 1924, to Frank and Kathryn (Pangrel) Pritzl. She was the sixth of

twelve children - six boys and six girls. Mom received her formal education at Kaiser School

and Lincoln High School, graduating with the class of 1943. Her summers were spent cleaning

cabins (with her sister Margaret) at Island Club, a resort in the Park Falls area.

A woman of extraordinary beauty, strength, and grace, Mom lived over a century as a

force of nature, unyielding, loving and unforgettable.

On September 25, 1943, Mom married the love of her life, Fred Wagner. Together they

built a home and raised their family in the Park Falls area. Mom and Dad were married 54

years before Dad passed in August 1997. Mom loved her family more than life itself.

Mom’s faith was always at the forefront of her life. She was an active member of St.

Anthony’s Catholic Church and the Council of Catholic Women (CCW). Mom and Auntie Marian

and later cousin Rosie ran the Knit Booth for the Catholic Women’s Holiday Fair each

November. Mom sewed Baptismal gowns for babies and adults christened at St.

Anthony’s Church. She also chaired one of the cleaning crews for St. Anthony’s Church for

many years.

As an active gardener, mom gathered and processed fruits and vegetables each fall.

Mom loved to pick raspberries and chokecherries, making awesome jellies and syrups. She

even tried her hand at making dandelion wine! Mom was a wonderful seamstress, creating

beautiful clothing for us girls. She enjoyed knitting slippers, mittens and dish cloths. Mom

embroidered many sets of dish towels and pillow cases over her lifetime. Word Search books

became a favorite past time for mom, as well as watching “Wheel of Fortune” and the “Hallmark

Channel”.

In 1977, Mom began working at Park Manor Nursing Home as a CNA. She was so

caring and compassionate to the residents. In fact, the owner of the facility wished he could

have “cloned mom and had twelve more CNAs just like mom.” She worked in this position for

11 1/2 years before retiring. After retiring, Mom joined the Park Manor Retiree Group and

attended monthly luncheons with fellow retired employees. She looked so forward to spending

time with her fellow retirees and reminiscing about the “good old days at work.”

The Golden Age Card Club met several times a month at City Hall. Mom and her friend

Madelyn would ride the Bart Bus to the facility to play “smear”. Mom was the Secretary of the

card club for many years. She enjoyed the many friends she made while playing cards.

Mom was a member of the local Yarn Group, comprised of women who knit, crochet and

do other crafts involving yarn. The group still meets weekly at the Park Falls Library. Once

Mom’s vision declined, she chose to retire from the group.

In August 2016, Mom moved to the Park Village where she lived until the time of her

illness. For every season, Mom would decorate the foyer area as well as the community room

at the facility. She was affectionately named the “Decorator”, a position she held very seriously.

Sunday evenings were spent playing “Farkle” with her dear friends in the community room. She

really enjoyed living at Park Village and loved the wonderful friends she made while living there.

“MeMe” you are loved and will be deeply missed!

Catherine is survived by her Daughters - Marge (Randy) Rein of Mosinee, WI; Debra

(Craig) Anderson of Glendive, MT; Grandchildren - Tim (Jolene) Wagner of Nisswa, MN; CJ

(Tracy) Wagner of Chetek, WI; Breanna (Devin) Fries of Phillips, WI; Shannon (Bethany) Rein

of Mosinee, WI; and Wesley (Lindsay) Rein of Mosinee, WI. Great Grandchildren - Easton,

Savannah, Carter, Braea Catherine, Isabella, Ava, Antonio and Charlie; Partner of Late Son -

Debra Seefeldt; Sister - Pat Kus; Sister-in-Law - Delia Pritzl; Brother-in-Law - Peter Smitshoek;

Daughter-in-Law - Renee; Special Niece - Joan Page; nieces and nephews; and many dear and

cherished friends.

Mom was preceded in death by her Husband - Fred; Son - James; Parents - Frank &

Kathryn; Brothers - Frank, Louis, Lawrence, Arnold, Harold and Norman; Sisters - Helen,

Margaret, Marian and Anna Mae; and Daughter-in-Law - Marlene.

Mom’s legacy will live on through our family and the countless lives she touched with her

kindness, strength and unwavering love.

Memorials are suggested to Circle of Life Hospice House, Stevens Point, WI;

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church - CCW, Park Falls, WI; or the charity of donor’s choice.

Sincere thanks to the staff of Circle of Life Hospice House and Compassus Hospice

Care for providing tender, compassionate care for Mom during her final days.