Catherine Grace Fengler

1926-2016

The youngest of nine children, Catherine Grace Fengler was born on Feb. 17, 1926, in Walt Hill, Neb.

Her parents, Thomas and Rosa Mae Wilkerson, moved the family to Rapid City, S.D., where Catherine completed her schooling and discovered her love of playing the piano.

At an early age, she played for grange dances, church services and family gatherings.

During WWII she traveled to California to help with the war effort by working as a “Rosie the Riveter.”

Throughout her life, she taught piano lessons, accompanied soloists and played the organ at church.

She later earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Washington with a major in music and served for many years as the church organist at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church on Whidbey Island.

She was very close to her large family and looked forward to family reunions throughout the United States.

She was the last to go of the nine Wilkerson children in her family. Her passing is the end of an amazing family era.

Catherine is survived and will be cherished by her two sons, Steve and Jeff Cifka, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.