Catherine F. Wilhelmi

Catherine (Kay) F. Wilhelmi

The Celebration of Catherine's life will be held on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake. There will be a gathering of family and friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with services at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery with a time of fellowship to follow at the VFW Club in Devils Lake. 

Catherine “Kay” Frances Wilhelmi passed away peacefully January 30, 2024, at Eventide Heartland Care Center under Hospice Care and the care of her family after her recent cancer diagnosis.

Kay was born May 29, 1946, at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake, ND. The daughter of Charles and Mary (Steffan) Wilhelmi, she was the fourth of eight children. She grew up on a farm 5 miles east of Garske, ND and started her education at a one room country schoolhouse a quarter of a mile from her home. After a few years, she transferred to Starkweather Public Schol, graduating in May 1964.

Being young and adventurous in August 1964, Kay moved to the Denver CO area. After a couple years in CO, she returned to ND briefly before heading to Seattle WA for a year and then from WA she would travel to Savannah GA. In the late fall of 1969, Kay once again returned to ND and by the fall of 1975 would for a second time return to CO. She remained in the Denver CO area for more than 30 years, working in the restaurant industry. Learning every aspect of the business, it seemed to be her calling. In 2006, she returned to Devils Lake, ND to be closer to family and live out her retirement years.

Kay was a very creative, artistic person and always had multiple projects in progress simultaneously. She spent hours knitting and crocheting, but painting with her granddaughters was what she loved most.

She was extremely compassionate towards our Veterans and the military. She spent many years as a VFW Auxiliary member and past president, both in Colorado and in Devils Lake.

Kay is survived by: her children-Tina Stoeser of Gurnee IL, Scott (Liz) Ludwig of Lake Mills IA and Robert Burley of San Jose CA; grandchildren-Dorothy Boyd and Tyler Ludwig; great grandchildren- Leon and CeCe; siblings-Patricia Larson, Duane (Leni) Wilhelmi, Jack (Kathy) Wilhelmi, Linda (Jack) Gaa, Tom (Val) Wilhelmi and Donna Dyer and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, daughter-Sydney Beal, granddaughter-Ashley Stoeser, brother-Robert “Bob” Wilhelmi, niece-Hannah Dyer and brother-in-law-George Larson. Her sister Patricia Larson passed away on June 13, 2024.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of the Red River Valley, 1701 38th Street South,  Suite 101, Fargo ND 58103 or Hope Center at 313 3rd Street NE, Devils Lake ND in memory of Catherine. 

A Celebration of Life will be held in July. May Kay rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon her.