Death | 2 March 2018 | Catherine A. Duren died on 2 March 2018 at age 91 Catherine Ann Hess, age 91 of Spring Green, passed away on March 2, 2018 of sudden cancer. She was born in Bear Valley, Wisconsin the first daughter of Agnes (Carmody) and Henry Duren. Catherine married Joseph Hess on July 31, 1945 in Spring Green where they raised three children. Catherine grew up in hard times and faced many challenges during the Depression and adult life. She overcame the deaths of her daughter to leukemia at age 15 and the accidental death of her husband. At age 42, she left Louis Shell Station and pursued a B.S. Degree in education and later a reading specialist degree. Catherine taught second grade at St. Luke’s Catholic School in Plain and Chapter I in the River Valley School District where she touched many lives. Catherine filled her days with many hobbies including quilting, aerobic swimming, and playing the organ. She was very social and enjoyed a diverse group of friends especially at Culvers. An adventurer at heart, she enjoyed traveling throughout Europe and the United States. The many national parks were a favorite place to tent camp and cook over an open fire. Her most precious time was spending and planning holidays with her family. Always an inspiration, her strong will, determination, and never-give-up attitude brought comfort and strength to others. She was a member of St. John’s Women’s Organization, NEA, WEA, and RVEA. Catherine is survived by her daughter, Jane Hess (Ramona Villarreal); a son, Joseph (Arline) Hess; granddaughter, Jolene (Steve) Hess-Engel; grandsons, Lee (Lynette) Hess, William Hess, and was anticipating the arrival of her first great-grandchild in April. She is further survived by sisters, Charlotte Ferguson, Polly (Louie) Tichenor, Lauretta Smith, Grace Blevins, and a brother Leo (Carol) Duren. Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Shirley Ann, brothers Hubert (Sandy) and Kenneth Duren, numerous brothers and sisters in-law, and unborn great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed by all, but her strength and courage will always be in our hearts. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, March 7, 2018 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Spring Green at 11:00 A.M. Fr. John Silva will officiate with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 from 4:30 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at the Richardson Stafford Funeral Home in Spring Green and also at the church on Wednesday at 10:00 A.M. until the time of Mass. |