Catherine Grace Fengler

Catherine Grace Fengler 1926-2016

The youngest of 9 children, Catherine Grace Fengler was born on February 17th, 1926, in Walt Hill, Nebraska. Her parents Thomas and Rosa Mae Wilkerson moved the family to Rapid City South Dakota 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 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 9 Wilkerson children in her family. Her passing is the end of an amazing family era. Catherine is survived and will be cherished by her 2 sons, Steve and Jeff Cifka, 4 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.