Catherine Josephine Bredenbroker Whisennand

PLAINS - Catherine Josephine Whisennand, 85, passed away Sunday, May 29, 2005, at Clark Fork Valley Nursing Home.

Born June 17, 1919, to Wilhelm Heinrich and Leona (Peltzer) Bredenbroker in Lewistown, she grew up mostly in the Fort Shaw area and graduated from Simms High School. Catherine loved the rolling hills of central Montana, which surrounded her youth.

She married Herman Whisennand on July 21, 1940, in Fairfield. In 1953, Catherine and Herman moved to farm just outside of Plains, then later moved into town in 1961.

Catherine was justice of the peace in Plains from 1968 to 1974. Catherine worked at the Hot Springs Convalescence Center from 1968 to 1975, first as a bookkeeper then as the administrator.

Catherine was active in Eastern Star and was a past matron of Ideal Chapter No. 40. They went into business with the purchase of the Garden Gift Shop but eventually sold it to fulfill their dream of becoming world travelers. One of Catherine's greatest joys was traveling.

In 1987, Catherine was elected to the Plains City Council, on which she served as a member for 11 years. She also served the community as a member of the Plains Library Board.

Her parents and her only brother, Henry, of Duschesne, Utah, preceded her in death.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Herman, at the family home in Plains; a daughter, Leona (Wes) Ekstrom; a son, Charles (Edith) Whisennand; a daughter, Margaret (Othelius) Whisennand-Storoy, all of Plains; a son, James (Kristin) Whisennand of Missoula; a daughter, JoAnne (Dave) Colyer of Plains; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

As per Catherine's request, no services have been planned. She will be going back to where she grew up in central Montana.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Catherine Whisennand Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of JoAnne Colyer, P.O. Box 953, Plains, MT 59859.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bunch-Toews Funeral Chapel.
__________________________
Obituary courtesy of Shawn Emmett (findagrave.com)