Cathie Johnson

Cathie was my wife. We agreed that I would tell her story as best as I could. Cathie was born in Pittsburgh, PA. on May 29, 1947. Her parents were Edward Evans Franks and Blanche Elizabeth Snyder Franks, now deceased. Her older sister by five years is Patricia Eleanor Franks. Pat resides in San Francisco, CA.

Cathie attended Logan Elementary School, middle and high school in Bethel Park, PA. She was very active in high school, specifically in the marching band as a baton-twirling Bethette. She was also the co-editor of her high school yearbook, the Beacon.

Cathie was a lifetime learner. One of the greatest joys of her life was being in the classroom. After high school Cathie matriculated to The University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. At Mount Union, Cathie majored in Elementary Education graduating in 1969. While at Mount Union, Cathie was a class officer, a member of the Delta-Delta-Delta sorority and sorority president her senior year. In her junior year she was on the May Day Court and in her senior year she was Homecoming Queen. At the end of her of senior year she was a candidate for Outstanding Senior Woman.

Cathie continued her education at Kent State University where she received her Masters Degree in Special Education in 1979.

Our family moved to Madison, WI in 1979 where Cathie enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to take job certification courses. One thing led to another and the number of courses she took eventually led to her PhD. in Educational Administration in May, 1996.

Cathie had several loves in her life. They include her father “Papa Ted”, her sister Pat and of course her two children, Erica Johnson Gallagher (Jim) and Mark Edward Johnson (Jill) along with Grand-Boys Charlie and Parker.

We married on December 19, 1968 in. Elyria, Ohio during my two-week leave from the Army. Cathie planned the entire wedding in three weeks all while attending classes, taking finals, buying dress(s) and a cake.

Cathie’s work experience included teaching elementary school in the San Antonio, Texas school system. Upon returning to Ohio Cathie served as Assistant Dean of Women and Campus Center Director at our Alma Mater, the University of Mount Union.

When we moved to Madison, Cathie accepted a position with the Cooperative Educational Service Agency, CESA 2. She then took over the Southern Wisconsin Educational Communication Service (SWECS) project as its director. Her work took her to most of the school systems in south central Wisconsin meeting Library Media and school Curriculum Directors.

Beyond her work time Cathie enjoyed singing in the church choir, teaching Sunday School classes, and being the co-president of the Church Council for two years. She was a typical swim team and soccer mom, driving all over southern Wisconsin to attend matches. She was a Ridgewood Pool mom doing scoring and meet staging as well as a little Water Ballet.

Cathie was not an athletic person, but she loved sports. All the local sport teams were her teams. Even though she was not a runner, she ran. Even though she was not a great swimmer, she swam. She did them both because she believed in exercise. I believe it was the spring of 1974, Cathie returned to the house earlier than normal from her run. She had fallen and was pretty scratched up. A month or so later she went out again. She fell again. I am not sure we knew it at the time, but these falls may have been the first indication of her Multiple Sclerosis. Did she eventually get diagnosed? Yes, first by herself and finally by physicians. Did she let it define her? Absolutely not. Did she try almost everything she could to maintain a good quality of life for herself and her family? Yes.

Unfortunately, MS is not a forgiving disease. In Cathie’s case MS continually took small pieces from Cathie, pieces she eventually could no longer lose. Pieces she never gave up included her love for her entire family and myself. Her caring and love for friends, both near and far. Her magnificent smile. Her willingness to listen and share. Her ability to encourage and congratulate. Her joy in life and her ability to share that joy with others. Her love of dogs.

Like many people, there are many Cathie Sue Franks Johnson stories. Please feel free to ask any of us in our tiny family and we will be happy to share any of them with you. We love to talk about Cathie.

Cathie passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at Agrace HospiceCare with her family holding her soft loving hand.

Our family would like to thank all the doctors and staff who cared for Cathie over the years. Because the journey has been so long that would include healthcare people at Dean Clinic, Sauk Prairie Health, UW Health-Madison, Stoughton Hospital and Four Winds Manor Rehabilitation.

We also want to thank the various in-home care and exercise providers who came in our door to assist Cathie. A special thanks to the people at Age at Home. To the nurses, CNA staff, and social workers of Agrace who came to our home, thank you for the support you have provided. To the private staff who intertwined your lives with Cathie and did much of the hard work for her, I do not know what we would have done without you. Thank you. Lastly, we want to thank Agrace HospiceCare for the unending support you gave to us, both at home and at the Inpatient Unit. Thanks to one and all for allowing me to share Cathie’s story with you.

A Celebration of Life Service will be planned for a later date and announced. In lieu of flowers, we would suggest a contribution to the Agrace HospiceCare Foundation, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI  53711 or an organization of your choice.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Road

(608) 238-3434