Catherine “Cathi” M. Paprocki

Catherine Marie Payne Paprocki—or, if you wanted to stay on her good side, Cathi—was an extraordinary woman. She was born on July 21, 1960, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was 64 years old at the time of her passing. Cathi passed away unexpectedly on January 10, 2025. During her 64 years, she devoted herself to building a life and home where her family and friends felt safe, loved, and appreciated.

Cathi married her husband, Gerry, in 1987. They soon welcomed their first child, whom she loved dearly, before moving to North Carolina as a family of three. Once there, they welcomed another child before purchasing their first home in 1991. In this home, they expanded their family with two more children, all of whom she adored.

Cathi spent 34 years creating a warm and loving home in Cary, where she raised her four children and watched them grow into the people she had always hoped they would become. One of her greatest delights in life was becoming a grandmother. Having this title was her pride and joy, and she tirelessly spoiled her grandchildren in the way only the best grandmothers could. She gave them homemade cupcakes at every opportunity, for her three grandchildren could do no wrong.

Known for her wit, love of books, and sharing cups of coffee, Cathi’s life was filled with happiness, surrounded by the family she so joyously created. Her uncanny ability to correct grammar, her endless love for reading and crocheting, and her skill at winning word games were just a few of the things that made her unforgettable. Her fiery red hair perfectly matched her fiery personality, which everyone around her fell in love with. Cathi was not just a mother to her own children; she extended her love and care to their friends as well, treating them as if they were part of her family. To know Cathi personally was truly an honor and a privilege.

Cathi’s life is being celebrated by her remaining and loving family members: her parents, Benjamin and Mary Payne; her siblings, Joseph and David Payne; her husband, Gerry Paprocki; her children, Katie, Danny, Jenny, and Nathan Paprocki; her daughters-in-law, Breanna and Laura Paprocki; and her cherished grandchildren, Nolan, Benjamin, and Allison Paprocki.

The funeral services will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin, on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. All are welcome to attend this celebration of her life. Visitation is from 10:00 AM – 11:45 AM, with the funeral service to follow at 12:00 PM. Burial will take place at St. Adalbert’s Cemetery following the funeral. Luncheon will follow at a venue to be determined.

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