Catherine Jane Frerich

Catherine Jane Frerich, age 76 years & 5 months, passed away Monday, December 21, 2020, at 10:52 a.m. at her home in Smithville, Texas, surrounded by her family, after a 10-month hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer.

Catherine was born on July 15, 1944, in the Bastrop Hospital to Adolph August and Hilda Mary Beck Muehr, the 6th of 7 children, and was raised in Rockne, Texas. She was Baptized as an infant at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockne, her Godparents being her Aunt Evelyn Beck Fischer and Uncle Jerome “Romey” Hilbig. She later received the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation also at Sacred Heart. Catherine attended all 12 years of her education at Sacred Heart Catholic School from where she graduated May 27, 1962.

After graduation, Catherine worked in Austin at an insurance checking office.

In the summer of 1960, Catherine met David Pierce Frerich from String Prairie and, after a 4-year courtship, they were united in Holy Matrimony at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockne on June 6, 1964. Three children were born to this union: Edward David, Brenda Lee, and Lynn David. The young couple lived in San Antonio until November 1981 when the family moved to David’s family’s beloved “home place” in String Prairie, Texas. In 1994, when David’s health continued to decline, they moved to Smithville.

In 1982, Catherine began working at Owl Western Wear in Rosanky and then Bastrop. In 1992, she began working for the Smithville Independent School District from where she retired in June 2019 as the Main Cafeteria Manager.

Some of Catherine’s favorites were coffee, Coke, popcorn shrimp, hamburgers, and macaroni & cheese. She was a superb cook, known for her delicious chicken & dumplings and holiday dressing, and no one could make homemade pancakes like she did in her cast iron skillet. Catherine canned lots of vegetables over the years from the garden. Her favorite pastimes were working crossword puzzles, watching game shows, and playing dominoes & word games. Recently, Catherine discovered her love of playing slot machines, and especially enjoyed going to Lake Charles, Louisiana, with her family.

Catherine’s strong Catholic Faith was a great example to many. She spent time in prayer each day and attended Mass every Sunday, as well as many weekdays.

Catherine received her final Sacrament, the Anointing of the Sick, while in Seton Hospital, Austin, where she was hospitalized for 10 days shortly before her passing.

Catherine was a wonderful homemaker, wife, mother, and grandmother. Her greatest joy was time spent with David, her children, and grandchildren. Words cannot describe what a giving, loving, and caring woman she was, always ready to lend support and offer encouragement. She was dearly loved and will be sorely missed every single day.

Catherine is predeceased by her beloved husband of nearly 55 years, David Pierce Frerich (Feb. 2019); her parents, Adolph August Muehr (Aug. 1985) & Hilda Mary Beck Muehr (Sept. 1991); her sister who died in infancy, Bessie Louise Muehr (May 1934); her sister, Jennifer Rose Capps (Mar. 2017) & brother-in-law, John T. Capps (Aug. 2019); brother-in-law, Gene Henry Ott (Aug. 2020); nephews, Dominic Mark Muehr (Jan. 1996), Vincent Benedict Muehr (Aug. 1979), & Simon Joseph Muehr (Apr. 1986); niece, Rebecca Lynn Norris (Jan. 1995); and step-grandson, Jared Davon Wood (Aug. 2001).

Catherine is survived by her son, Edward David Frerich, his wife, Connie, of String Prairie, and Connie’s children, Chris Wood, Jason Wood, & Jennifer Lynch and their families; daughter, Brenda Lee Frerich Karisch, her husband, Ernest W. Karisch, Jr., and grandson, Ethan William Karisch, of rural Smithville; and son, Lynn David Frerich, his wife, Kim, granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Frerich, and grandson, Mitchell David Frerich of Smithville. Also surviving Catherine are her siblings and their spouses: Roger Joseph Muehr & Marcella; Laverne Norris & Wayne; Thomas Albert Muehr; and Imelda Ann Ott. Catherine is also survived by numerous nephews & nieces and in-laws.

Visitation will be held at Bastrop Providence Funeral Home on Monday, December 28, 2020, from 2:00—6:00p.m. with family present from 5:00—6:00p.m. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 6:00p.m. officiated by Dcn. Roger Muehr.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rockne, Texas, on Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at 10:30a.m. celebrated by Fr. Dariusz Ziebowicz. Interment will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in String Prairie, Texas.

Pallbearers will be grandson, Ethan Karisch; nephews, Damian Muehr, Gregg Muehr, Anthony Norris, Kenneth Ott, and Ronnie Frerich.

Eternal rest grant unto Catherine, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace. Amen.