Catharine Mathilda Crimmel

On Thursday, March 19, 2026, Catharine (Cathy) Mathilda (Weber) Crimmel was called by Jesus to her eternal home in Heaven. Cathy’s prayers were answered as she left this world with the knowledge that Heaven is her permanent home. She died in peace and surrounded by love at Family Crest Living in Escanaba, Michigan.

Catharine was born on June 12, 1924, in Dodge City, Kansas, the oldest child of Rev. George and Elsa Weber. She was a faithful follower of Jesus for 101 years and nine months. Catharine attended parochial schools in Omaha, NE and graduated from Benson High School in Pipestone, MN in 1941.

Cathy received her BA degree in Education from Colorado State University (now called the University of Northern Colorado) in Greely, CO. She taught kindergarten and primary grades for 28 years in CO, IN, Republic of Panama, and WI, retiring from Milwaukee Public Schools in 1983.

Over the years, Cathy traveled the United States and Canada by auto and by camper. Other travels took her to Mexico, Spain and Morocco, the British Isles, the Scandinavian countries, Virgin Islands, Bahamas, the Republic of Panama, Guatemala, the Holy Land, Jordan, Egypt and Alaska. She also had a passion for visiting the homes and museums of past US presidents and completed 38 of the forty-six locations. Over her lifetime, she has recorded living in KS, NE, CO, OK, IN, TX, MN, PA, CA, Cristobal, (Republic of Panama), WI, NC, FL, and MI, with 54 separate addresses carefully logged in her collection of family information.

Cathy professed her Lutheran heritage and was a member of a church in every location in which she lived. She began playing organ for services conducted by her father at age seven. Following her clergy father’s dream, Cathy was instrumental in the planning, construction and dedication stages of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Coral, FL. She also enjoyed attending concerts, playing bridge, reading, collecting genealogy, caring for elderly, keeping accurate records of family activities through photographs and written histories, and visiting family and friends. Catharine was blessed by the privilege of sharing a home with her daughter Bev and son-in-law Russ for 25 years. She loved to look at the mountains visible from her front patio window and her rear facing kitchen window in her lower-level apartment. At age 95, Cathy relocated to Escanaba, Michigan and proceeded to oversee the planning and construction of a handicapped accessible home she shared with her daughter Shari and husband.

Catharine is survived by two daughters, Sharon (Shari) Winters of Escanaba, MI, and Beverly Daggett and her husband Russell of Fletcher, NC. She is also survived by two brothers, Oliver Weber of Omaha, NE, and Kenneth Weber of Pueblo, CO, three sisters-in law, Madelon Weber of Phoenix, AZ, Jody Turnbull of Richmond, VA, and Dee Crimmel of Torrington, WY. In addition, she is survived by five grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and other deeply loved nieces and nephews.

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. George and Elsa Weber, son-in-law. Rev. Richard Winters, sisters, Wilma Behnke and Ethel Dorn, brothers Norman Weber, and Ronald Weber, sister-in law Marilyn Weber, brothers-in law, Harold Dorn and Gene Behnke, nephews Stanley Weber and John Weber.

A special thank you is expressed to the people who cared for Cathy over the past three years. She was blessed in the beginning with the care and friendship of independent caregivers along with the loving care of the employees of UP Home Health and Hospice. At various times, because of her changing physical needs, she also was privileged to receive the care of private duty nurses and self-employed CNAs. For the final two months of her life, she experienced the love and support of Kristy Dumas at Family Crest Living and every one of her employees. Never did any of them leave before giving her a hug and/or a kiss.

Friends in the area are invited to enjoy the fellowship and a simple luncheon on Saturday, April 11tth at Family Crest Assisted Living, 400 South 10th Street, Escanaba, MI, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Pastor Paul Doletzky will lead a devotional service at 3:00 p.m. at Family Crest. Internment for Catharine will be in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, on a date to be determined.

Cathy had favorite charities she supported throughout the years. In lieu of flowers, and because of her passion to support these organizations, the family would like to request that any memorial checks be written to:

Cathy Crimmel’s Gift Fund

% Shari Winters

2200 Lake Shore Drive,

Escanaba, Michigan, 49829

The funds collected will be divided evenly among her favorite nonprofit organizations.

Arrangements for Cathy have been under the direction of the Neptune Society in cooperation with Skradski Funeral Home in Escanaba. Her complete obituary can be found on the Neptune Society website, under recent obituaries/ Catharine Crimmel. It may also be found on the Skradski Funeral Home website.