Catherine (Phillip) Spittlemeister, 87, of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, passed away on August 8, 2018 at her home in her sleep. Catherine was welcomed by the graceful almighty with open arms.

Catherine was born to Mifflin and Gertrude (Spahn) Phillip on Christmas Day, 1930 at Door County Medical Center. Catherine was born not breathing for five minutes, but just before all hope was lost, she began to breath and begin her beautiful journey through life. Catherine was baptized at the First Moravian Church, in Sturgeon Bay, on January 5, 1931.

Catherine's father was a Civil War officer of Co. B, 6th Wisconsin Infantry, serving all four years, and getting discharged with the rank of First Lieutenant, and later earned his Doctorate degree at the University of Michigan, and beginning a career in medicine. Catherine's mother was a housekeeper for over sixty years before her retirement, and was a member of the Sevastopol School Board for twenty years.

Catherine attended Sevastopol High School until her graduation with the Class of 1949. Catherine got married during her sophmore year of high school to her sweethear, Alfred Spittlemeister, a 25 year old soldier at the time serving in the U.S. Army. They were married on February 2, 1947 at the First Moravian Church, Sturgeon Bay. Alfred passed away on March 3, 1971 in Luang Prabang, Laos after being killed in action during "Operation Lam Son 719."

Catherine worked as a Cashier for Patient Financial Services at the Door County Medical Center for over fifty years, until her retirement in 2014. Catherine also owned a large cherry and apple orchard, which she had for over 40 years, that was originally her husband's.

Catherine is preceded in death by her husband, both her parents, both paternal and maternal grandparents, infant twin brothers, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Catherine is survived by ten sons, Mike (Tricia) Spittlemeister; of Sturgeon Bay, Freddy (Hattie) Spittlemeister; of Egg Harbor, Frank (Doris) Spittlemeister; of Calabassas, CA, Harry (Patricia) Spittlemeister; of Liberty Grove, Ven (Gert) Spittlemeister; of Sturgeon Bay, Ben (Glas) Spittlemeister; of Richmond, VA, Alfred (Bertha) Spittlemeister; of Orlando, FL, Garry (Vicki) Spittlemeister; of Washington Island, Julius (Henny) Spittlemeister; of Galveston, TX, and Dick (Kat) Spittlemeister; of Milwauke, twenty-six grandchildren, thirty-six great-granchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Catherine was a member of the Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, and was interviewed by the History channel in 2016, documenting a story to the last of the suriving children of veterans of the American Civil War.