Catherine Clare (Zink) Wyss

Catherine Clare Wyss went home to Jesus, surrounded by her loving husband and kids, on November 19th, 2022, after a brief and very brave battle with brain cancer. She was born on March 28th, 1963, to George & Kathleen (Farrell) Zink, in Anderson, Indiana.

As the 3rd of 10 siblings, Catherine enjoyed a boisterous childhood, full of games with her siblings, reading wherever she could, and family trips to their cottage in Lake Leelanau, Michigan. She attended Lapel Highschool, and went on to graduate from Saint Francis College in Fort Wayne, earning her bachelor's degree in Special Education. During her senior year at St. Francis, Catherine met the love of her life, Steve. After dating for 7 years, (“Six  years too long!” she told her kids,) Steve and Catherine where married on June 19, 1993. Life together truly was the embodiment of their vows, “in sickness and in health”, as they lived married life with joy, determination, teamwork, and humor. Catherine spoiled Steve daily with her cooking and also loved to pull him out on the dance floor, whenever she had the rare opportunity.

She continued to joyfully serve her Special Education kids until the birth of their first child, after which she was happy to make the decision to stay at home to raise their kids. Catherine made the choice to homeschool all six of their children, a choice that her children are both impressed by and grateful for. She poured everything she had into her husband and kids, endlessly driving kids to practices and meetings, sitting beside during hospital stays, and offering an understanding ear, day or night. Catherine’s great love of God infused all of her daily activities, whether it was walking with friends, teaching, volunteering at the food pantry, or praying at a 40 Days For Life campaign. She nurtured that love of God especially in her home, leading morning and night prayer with the whole family and Sunday night Rosary. Known for taking on as many prayer requests as she could, Catherine could often be found with her Rosary, praying away the early morning hours. Catherine also loved God’s beautiful creation, and along with Steve and all of her kids, enjoyed hiking and camping. She especially loved identifying different types of insects, trees, and birds. Sometimes, to the family's impatience, she held up the hike until she could correctly classify a certain bird or leaf. Catherine’s joy was multiplied by the births of her 4 grandchildren, and she delighted in reading to them from her children’s book collection, playing with them in the backyard, and spoiling them with sugary treats she would have never let her children eat. Catherine’s kids always joked that if they wanted something, all they had to do was pretend the grandkids wanted it, and boom- Catherine would make it happen.

Catherine is survived by her beloved husband of 29 years, Steve, six children: Isaac (Claire), Clare, Bernadette, Luke, Amelia and Eli; four grandkids, Isaac Jr, Audrey, Christopher and Leland; 8 siblings, and her mother, Kathleen. Catherine was proceeded in death by her father, George, and sister, Susan.

Visitation will be held Friday, November 25, 2022 from 2 pm - 4 pm and 6 pm - 8 pm at Divine Mercy Funeral home, 3500 Lake Ave, Fort Wayne, with a rosary service at 7:30 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. Louis Besancon Catholic Church, with calling starting at 10:00 am. Burial will be held at Highland Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Women’s Care Center or the Fairhaven Foundation.