Catherine Ann Borem nee Stenke of Mesa, AZ (formerly of Northlake, Country Club Hills, Park Forest, IL and Scottsdale, AZ), went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, June 10, 2020, at her Mesa home surrounded by her family. Cathy was 72 years old. She was born on December 10, 1947 and enjoyed a happy childhood in Northlake, IL with wonderful parents, Dorothy & Wilbert Stenke. One of nine siblings, Shirley, Linda, Marsha, Debi, Janice, Patty, Dave & Ken, brought a life fulfilled with love, parties, laughter, friendship, vacations, drama, singing, beauty, joy, love of the Chicago Cubs and ultimately peace. Her sons, Michael and Jon brought profound meaning to her life, bringing the special love that only a mother can receive and give. Cathy had such a loving and caring soul, always thinking of others and lending a helping hand whenever she could. She was a dear mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.
Cathy graduated from Rich Central H. S., from Prairie State College with an A.A. and Governors State University (GSU) with a B.A. in Sociology. This led her into a life's calling of helping others, including working for a year in the Kentucky hollers helping the disadvantaged elderly. She moved on to helping people grow in their personal and educational development at GSU. She worked there for 24 years as an Academic Advisor, and graduated with a M.A. in Communications before she retired. She transitioned to Arizona in 2003 and worked at ASU, continuing to advise students for the next 7 years, where she retired in 2010.
In 2004, she joined her sisters (Shirley, Marsha, Debi, Janice & Patty) in a "Family Christian Singing Ministry" called "Sisters in Song" until 2017, singing the message of Christ for seniors in Arizona.
Cathy was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her son Michael William, step-son Jonathan Woodward (Renee) and seven grandchildren: Joshua, Jarod, Jake, Alex, Brucie, Jessica and Megan. Sisters and brothers: Shirley Jean (Larry) Berger, Linda Bernice Wisniewski, Marsha Ruth (Gary) Bretz, Debi Marie Stenke, Janice Mae (Dan) Villafuerte, Patricia Kay Cote, David Edward (Mishelle) Stenke and Kenneth Walter Stenke. Aunt Joan Denhoff, and countless nieces and nephews.
Linda Bernice Wisniewski nee Stenke, 75, passed away peacefully and went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at her home in Buffalo Grove, IL. Linda was born on April 3, 1945 in Oak Park, IL., beloved daughter of Wilbert C. and Dorothy B. Stenke. Linda enjoyed a happy childhood in Northlake, IL. with her wonderful parents, grandparents, siblings and friends. Outings and weekend stays with the family at her grandparents cottage in Island Lake, IL. were filled with fun, laughter and good memories. She graduated with valedictorian honors from Whittier Elementary School in Northlake, IL. in 1959. For her high school years, she attended East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, IL. until 1962, at which time the family moved to Country Club Hills, IL. She then finished her high school education and graduated from Rich Township (Rich East) High School in Park Forest, IL. in June of 1963. After graduation, she pursued her work career in downtown Chicago, IL. working for Continental Insurance Co. as an Administrative Assistant for a couple of years before deciding to pursue her college education at Bethel University in Saint Paul, MN. and Elmhurst University in Elmhurst, IL. She returned to full time work in downtown Chicago, IL. in 1969 with HFC / Household International starting there as an Administrative Assistant and worked her way up to become Senior Treasury Assistant Bank Relations in the Corporate Treasury Department. On May 17, 1981 she was wed to Robert (Bob) J. Wisniewski and lived in Riverdale, IL. and Arlington Heights, IL. during their 14 year marriage. While working, she attained an A.A. Degree from Harper College in Palatine, IL. in December of 1999 and after 32 years of service with HFC / Household International, she retired in 2001. Upon retiring, Linda pursued her passion of traveling throughout the US and visited many international destinations, as well as, golfing and spending time with family and friends brought enjoyment and fulfillment to her life. As a lifelong diehard Chicago Cubs fan, she attended many Cubs games with family and friends at Wrigley Field and wholeheartedly enjoyed the Cubs World Series victory in 2016. Linda was a loving, caring, sweet and thoughtful soul who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life such as sunsets, spring and summer flowers, the colors of autumn leaves and the smell of burning fall leaves, the soothing sounds of music, dinner and theater with good friends, holiday dinners at her Aunt's house in her later years, lasting friendships and the love of family. She always remembered to send birthday and holiday cards to family and friends and was especially attentive in sending birthday cards to her many nieces and nephews filled with love and generous uplifting compliments. She was a beautiful dear niece, cousin, sister, aunt and friend who will be missed tremendously by all.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents Wilbert C. and Dorothy B. Stenke and sister Catherine A. Borem. She is survived by her sisters and brothers, Shirley J. (Larry) Berger, Marsha R. (Gary) Bretz, Debi M. Stenke, Janice M. (Dan) Villafuerte, Patricia K. Cote, David E. (Mishelle) Stenke and Kenneth W. Stenke, Aunt Joan Denhoff, former husband Robert J. Wisniewski and countless nieces and nephews.
A joint visitation and memorial service will be held for the sisters, Catherine Ann Borem and Linda Wisniewski nee Stenke, on Thursday, June 10, 2021 from 9 am to 1 pm at Chapel Hill Gardens South Funeral Home, 11333 S. Central Ave., Oak Lawn, IL. 60453 with inurnment to follow at Chapel Hill Gardens South Cemetery, 11333S. Central Ave. Oak Lawn Illinois. 60453 Info:708-636-1200
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