Catherine "Kay" Slaby

Catherine E. “Kay” Slaby, 88, of Winona, MN, died at home on Tuesday, September 25, 2018.

Catherine was born on January 18, 1930, at home on Oak Ridge to John and Elizabeth (Kohner) Erpelding.  She was the youngest of seven children.  After graduating from Cathedral High School in 1948, she spent some time with her sister, Mrs. William (Marie) Johns, in Long Beach, CA.  On February 12, 1949, she married her childhood sweetheart, John J. Mueller, and they had three children.  They separated in 1954.  With the help of her mother, Catherine raised her family.

On July 23, 1968, she was united in marriage to Edward T. Slaby, of Arcadia, WI.  Edward died in 1994.  Catherine lived in Arcadia until 1995, when she moved back to Winona.  Catherine had a deep devotion to her faith, and was a member of St. Casimir’s Catholic Church in Winona, where she enjoyed many friendships.

Catherine is survived by children, Kathleen (Jay Schanche) Ajax, John (Patricia) Mueller and Bonita (Ray) Norum; sister-in-law, Marge Erpelding; four grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Elizabeth Erpelding, brothers, Reinhard, Andrew, Leo (Marge) and Arnold (June) Erpelding; sisters, Magdalin (Clarence) Olsen and Marie (William) Johns; sister-in-law, June Erpelding; special nephew, Charlie Olsen; nieces, Gail Hartnett and Louise Erpelding; granddaughter, Dina Mueller; great-nephew, Ted Olsen; lifelong friend, Betty (Denzer) Haedtke; and husbands, John Mueller and Edward Slaby.

The most important thing in Catherine’s life was her family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 10 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM on Friday, September 28, 2018, at St. Casimir’s Catholic Church in Winona.  The Very Reverend Mark C. Mc Nea will officiate.

Catherine will be laid to rest at Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in Rollingstone, MN.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Catherine’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.