OCONOMOWOC - Catherine A.W. Puisto, age 71, of Oconomowoc, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023. She was born on Oct. 5, 1952, in Joliet, Ill., the daughter of Donald and Carol (Wanderer) Worel.

Catherine moved to the Madison area as a child and graduated from Madison Memorial High School in 1971. As a child, her father owned a Dog N Suds root beer drive-in where she spent years working as a carhop. As the oldest of four children, she spent many hours babysitting and caring for her three younger siblings. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated with high honors in 1976 with a degree in Horticulture.

On Sept. 4, 1976, Catherine attended a co-ed barn dance where she met the love of her life and husband of 44 years, Dale Puisto. He was immediately smitten, but knew she was the one when he tried her baking that night. They were married in Madison on Sept. 1, 1979.

Dale and Catherine had two sons, Kyle and Craig, in McFarland, Wis., where they proudly built a home and raised their family. Catherine used her degree in horticulture to build a stunning home garden, both inside and outside.

Catherine’s professional career included many years as an IT project manager for the State of Wisconsin. After retiring from the State, she worked at Thrivent Financial and the UW Medical College, but her most cherished job was as Coordinator and Family Ministry at Messiah Lutheran Church (Madison), of which she was also a member. She found great joy in connecting people and helping local families.

Catherine was an incredible cook and baker known for many favorites including pecan sticky buns, homemade wheat bread, lasagna, and many vegetarian dishes that even impressed her meat-loving boys. Catherine was blessed with her first grandchild, Ayla, in March 2021 and took care of her several days per week, even through her cancer treatments. Ayla and her Oma loved playing outside, being in the kitchen, and making art together.

Catherine had a true and generous heart which was immediately evident to all those who knew her. She was so loved by her family and friends and will be forever missed.

Catherine is survived by her husband, Dale; sons, Kyle (Jamie) Puisto and Craig (Corinna) Puisto; brother, Don (Jane) Worel; sisters, Gail (Rick) Sund and Julie (Alejandro) Perez; and beloved granddaughter, Ayla Puisto. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service will be held at MESSIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5202 Cottage Grove Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, with Pastor Jeff Vanden Heuvel presiding. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Food and fellowship will follow the service.

Memorials may be made to local food pantries and Habitat for Humanity.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Catherine A. Puisto

October 05, 1952 - November 10, 2023

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