Obituary: Katherine (Morrissey) Lemmer

ORFORDVILLE/ MADISON - Katherine M. Lemmer, age 99, died on Monday, Oct. 18, 2004, at the home of her daughter. She was born on Oct. 2, 1905, in Lodi, the daughter of William and Catherine (Burns) Morrissey. She married Kenneth E. Lemmer in Blessed Sacrament Church, Madison, on April 27, 1935. They were the first couple to be married in that church. Katherine grew up in Madison, attending St. Raphael's Grade School and graduating from Central High School. She graduated from UW-Madison in 1927. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and of the UW archery squad during her college years. She then taught art in the Madison School District until her marriage in 1935. During the war, while her husband was overseas, she volunteered to work with the troops at Truax Field in Madison. Her entire life she created beauty in art, specializing in watercolors. She was a member of the Madison Art Guild and especially enjoyed a Thursday morning paint-out group with her Madison artist friends. She was a 52 year member of the Attic Angel Association, donating untold volunteer hours. When asked in later years what she wanted to be remembered for, she answered, "I want to be remembered for my devotion to my children and grandchildren." Katherine is survived by her son, Kenneth G. Lemmer (Maureen O'Malley) of Waunakee; daughter, Ann Lemmer Moyer (Bill Redmer) of Orfordville; grandchildren, Kathleen Elizabeth Wren (Eric), Joanna Margaret Lemmer, and Mariana Elena Rodrigues (Jake Schmidt); great-grandchildren, Max Schmidt and Sydney Wren; and her nephew, William Morrissey, O. P. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth E. Lemmer, M.D.; her parents; a sister, Rose M. Kennedy; and a brother, Lewis Morrissey. A funeral mass will be held at ST. AUGUSTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH in Footville at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2004, with Father Kevin Dooley officiating. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. at ST. AUGUSTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH in Footville on Thursday, prior to the Mass. A luncheon will be held at the church following Mass. Memorials may be made to Mercy Adult Day Center. Newcomer-Silverthorn Chapel on the Hill, Orfordville, is serving the family.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on October 20, 2004