Catherine Ann Trader (Wachal) passed away peacefully at Waukesha Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loved ones on Monday, December 7th at the age of 65.
Cathy is survived by her loving husband, Rodger; beloved son, Robert Arthur; devoted sisters, Mary Pionkowski, and Janet (John) Rymaszewski; brothers Thomas and Arthur (Holly Billings); nieces and nephews, Sara (Max Rogers) Pionkowski, Anne (Wesley) Larson, Jacob (Ainslie) Wachal, Benjamin Wachal, Angela (Matthew) Johnson, John Arthur Rymaszewski (Leah Peavler); Wendy (Brent Warner) Parsons, Tony (Heather) Parsons, Stacey (Rob) Miller, Erin Holland, Christopher (Meredith) Coplien, Lorelei Coplien, Andrew Coplien, Brian Trader, Daniel Trader, Nolan Trader, and Meaghan Trader; in-laws Janet Trader, Pam (Roger) Parsons, Barbara Trader (Mark Gregory), Sandra Coplien, and Douglas (Jacqueline) Trader; grand nieces and nephews; dear friends John, Laura, Rebecca, Samantha, and Olivia Rash, Sue Equi, Laura Brandt, Anthony (Victoria Hsia-Grande) Grande, Tim West; and many other cherished friends, colleagues, and students.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Angeline and Arthur Wachal, father-in-law Melvin Trader, and dearest friend, Adam Januszewski.
Cathy was born in 1956 and lived her childhood in Franklin, WI. She graduated from Alverno College in 1978 with a degree in music education and taught elementary music in Catholic schools for eight years. She married Rodger on April 26, 1985, and they partnered for 13 years at Tradecraft in East Troy before returning to teaching in 1998. Cathy was the organist at First Congregational, UCC Church for 25 years. She taught music and assisted in theatre programs in the East Troy Public Schools for more than 20 years. She was a highly involved community member participating in the East Troy Community Choir, Youth Choir, and Band.
Cathy taught piano to many young musicians. She enjoyed singing, gardening, taking walks, attending plays and concerts, visiting Circus World Museum and natural wildlife areas, knitting, and puzzles. She was generous with her time and resources to anyone in need, and most of all she cherished spending time with loved ones.
A private green burial took place at Prairie Home Cemetery in Waukesha, and a celebration of life will be scheduled in the spring of 2022.
The family would like to extend their thanks to Dr. Razza and the Prohealth Oncology care team; and the Waukesha Memorial Intensive Care Unit staff, for their loving care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials provided to the family will be given in Cathy’s name to organizations supporting music education and cancer research.