Obituary of Catherine R. Wilhelm

DYERSVILLE, IOWA

Catherine R. Wilhelm, 96, of Dyersville, IA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at MercyOne Senior Care in Dyersville.

Visitation will be held from 2 - 7 p.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa.  Visitation will continue Saturday morning from 9 - 10 a.m. at the funeral home prior to funeral mass.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica Catholic Church in Dyersville with burial in the church cemetery.  Rev. Gabriel Mensah will officiate.

Catherine was born on June 15, 1928, to Michael (Fred) and Anne Arganbright in Guthrie Center, IA. She was one of 11 children, though one sibling passed away in infancy. Raised on a farm east of Guthrie Center, Catherine developed a strong work ethic and an enduring faith. She attended a country school during her early years and later graduated from Panora High School at the age of 16. Following her graduation, she taught at the country school for a couple of years before continuing her education at the University of Iowa, where she shared a room with her cousin.

During her second year at the university, she met Bob Wilhelm. The couple enjoyed attending Iowa Hawkeye games together. After a while, they parted ways and she took a teaching job in Ripley, IA. At the close of her first year of teaching, she returned to the University of Iowa to visit her cousin, where she and Bob rekindled their romance. They married on November 22, 1951, in Guthrie Center, IA.

After Bob's graduation from pharmacy school in 1952, he took a job in Mount Pleasant, IA, before settling in his hometown of Dyersville in 1958. There, Bob worked as a pharmacist at the Corner Drug Store, eventually becoming its owner. Together, they raised 11 children, building a home filled with love, faith, and family.

Catherine dedicated herself as a stay-at-home mother, creating a warm and welcoming environment for her children and their friends. She had an incredible ability to balance the demands of a large family with grace and patience. Her home was always filled with the aroma of fresh cookies or donuts after school and hearty, home-cooked meals in the evening. She cherished time with family and friends, always opening her heart and home to others. Catherine’s deep faith was the cornerstone of her life, and she prayed the rosary regularly at home, always lifting up prayers for the welfare of her family and friends.

As her children grew older, Catherine enjoyed working alongside Bob at the Corner Drug Store, contributing to their family business. She and Bob were deeply committed to their community, believing in the importance of giving back. They worked tirelessly to support their parish, hospital, schools and the restoration of the historical Dyer-Botsford House. Their faith was central to their lives; they spent countless hours in Adoration, leading the rosary, guiding tours of the Basilica, and serving as lectors during Mass. They were also active and strong believers in the Right to Life campaign. Catherine also found joy in singing with the Resurrection Choir.

Bob and Catherine shared a remarkable 71 years of marriage before his passing in December 2022. Together, they formed lifelong friendships, raised an incredible family, and left a legacy of love, service, and faith.

Catherine is survived by her children: Pat (Lee) Kruse of Lancaster, PA; Mary (Mark) Gaul of Worthington, IA; Dan Wilhelm of Dyersville; Deb (Boyd) Campbell of Rudd, IA; Linda (Wayne) Overman of Murfreesboro, TN; Tess (Brian) Jones of Greer, SC; Joe (Angie) Wilhelm of Castle Rock, CO; Janet (Dave) Sisk of Brownsboro, AL; Mike (Kathy Henry) Wilhelm of Centennial, CO; Connie Wilhelm (Kurt Rosenthal) of Springville, IA; and Sue (Matt) Kramer of Greer, SC. She is also survived by her youngest brother, Mike (Mary) Arganbright of Linden, IA; her sister-in-law, Diane Arganbright of Panora, IA, brother-in-laws: Paul (Rita) Wilhelm, Dave Wilhelm, and Merle (Sharon) Wilhelm; 36 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren, many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob, her parents, Fred and Anne Arganbright, siblings: Donald, Tom, infant brother William, John, Vince, Jim and Richard Arganbright, Elizabeth Petersen and Mary Moylan, and one great-grandson, Dane Zeigler, in infancy.

Catherine was a loving wife, devoted mother, and cherished friend. She loved to spend time outside in her gardens or on the front porch, savoring a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll, if you were lucky, with whoever happened to be visiting. She spent many hours out there with Bob, taking in nature’s wonders. She also loved to rock her grandbabies, softly singing Bye-o-bye. Her unwavering faith, selfless spirit, and boundless love touched everyone who knew her. She never lost her keen wit, even up to the end.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family.  Information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.