Catherine Ann Kocs, 84, of Delavan, passed away Jan. 19, 2017, at Oak Park Place in Madison, where she was being lovingly cared for by her 12 children and her sister.
Catherine was born in Fond du Lac on March 18, 1932, to Arthur and Margaret (Roble) Sullivan, and married Eugene Kocs on July 17, 1954. During the early years of her marriage, she hand-colored black and white photographs for a local photographer. She continued to explore her artistic talent throughout her life in drawings and paintings.
She worked for many years at the Aram Public Library in Delavan and was an active member of St. Andrew Parish, serving on the parish council, bereavement committee, and as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, delivering Holy Communion to nursing home residents.
Catherine was a kind, loving person who raised her large family with courage and high expectations, all while caring for her husband, who suffered from Parkinson’s disease for most of their married life. Catherine will be remembered by her family and her many friends for her strong faith, her eagerness to be of service to others, and her ready smile.
Catherine is survived by nine daughters, Katherine (Lance Quale) Kocs of Madison, Nancy (Martin) Kennedy, of Nashville, Constance Kocs, of Los Angeles, Lisa (Mark) Cancelmo, of Phoenixville, Pa., Lora (Robert) Frey, of Madison, Carol Frances Anderson, of Madison, Amy Collins, of Madison, Jennifer (Brian) Erickson, of Plymouth, Minn., and Teressa (Don Iwen) Kocs, of Shorewood; three sons, Stephen Kocs, of Worcester, Mass., Andrew (Dianne) Kocs, of Layton, Utah, and Ernest (Elettra Salice) Kocs, of Treviso, Italy; 25 grandchildren; four great grandchildren; a sister, Gen Sullivan; four brothers, Ray (Peggy) Sullivan, Dave (Pat) Sullivan, Jack (Judy) Sullivan, and Frank Sullivan; a sister-in-law, Mary; and many nieces and nephews.
Catherine is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eugene, who passed away on May 6, 1996; three sisters, Marge Thurman, Dorothy Prochnow and Helen Shank; a brother, Tom Sullivan; sisters-in-law Mary Sullivan, Katie Sullivan and Elaine Sullivan; and brothers-in-law Jack Thurman, Butch Prochnow and Jerry Shank.
Funeral services were Monday at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 714 E. Walworth Ave. in Delavan. Visitation was Saturday at Monroe Funeral Home, 604 E. Walworth Ave. in Delavan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to St. Andrew Catholic Church in Delavan or memorial Masses said in Catherine’s name.
