Catharine, fifth child of Nicholas Recktenwald and Elizabeth Weiand, was born on 9 April 1856 in Long Grove, Lake County, Illinois. The year of birth of 1856 was given on the tombstone, but 1857 was given in the obituary. No baptismal record is recorded at St. Mary’s Parish in Buffalo Grove, Cook County, Illinois which was a missionary church at the time or at St. Joseph’s in Wilmette, Cook County, Illinois. The baptismal record may exist at one of the other surrounding parishes.

In 1861, when Catharine was about 5 years old, the Recktenwalds moved to Shakopee, Scott County, Minnesota. Here they bought a small farm near Little Six. About 7 years later, in 1868-1869, they then moved to St. Cloud, Stearns County, Minnesota for a year and a half. In 1869, when Catharine was about 13 years old, the family moved to a farm in Hartford Township, Todd County, Minnesota.

Catherine’s father, Nicholas, died on 5 November 1873 in Hartford. The two oldest surviving children, John and Margaret, had left home by this time, but Catherine’s mother, Elizabeth, and the rest of the children stayed on the farm. By 1875, Catharine had moved away and was living with her brother-in-law and sister, August and Margaret Sieloff, in Rockford, Wright County, Minnesota.

On 27 August 1878, Catharine (age 22) married Philip John Vennewitz (age 23), son of Wilhelm Herman Vennewitz and Dorothea Bidlingmeir, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Long Prairie, Todd County, Minnesota.

Initially they lived in Long Prairie where Philip was engaged in milling. They had five children during the time period 1879 to about 1889 – Theresa, Eleanor, Ludwig “Louis”, Herman and Mathilda. About 1889 the family moved to Little Falls/Pierz area in Morrison County, Minnesota where Philip continued his occupation as a miller. There three more children were born – Sidonia, Rudolph and Edward. At some point after this they lived in Brainerd, Crow Wing County, Minnesota for a short time. In 1898, the family moved to Browerville, Todd County, Minnesota where Philip operated a meat shop. Catherine lived in Browerville until her illness forced her move to a hospital in Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minnesota a week before her death.

Catherine (age 70) died on 28 September 1926 in Sauk Centre. Her obituary, originally printed in the Browerville Blade and reprinted in the Long Prairie Leader reads: “Death of Mrs. P. J. Vennewitz. The Passing away of Mrs. P. J. Vennewitz of this village, on Tuesday evening of this week, brings sadness into many homes in Browerville and community, where she had resided for the past many years. She had been in poor health for the past few years, but had managed to be up and about her home, performing her household tasks herself, up to about a week ago, when it was thought advisable to take her to a hospital at Sauk Centre for medical aid. Since that time she failed rapidly and the last couple days of her life she was unconscious of things passing on about her. Her death occurred at the hospital about nine o’clock Tuesday evening. The body was bought here the following morning where it rested in the family home until funeral services today. Katherine Recktenwald was born at Buffalo Grove, Ill., [born Long Grove, baptized Buffalo Grove] on April 9, 1857 [1856], the daughter of Elizabeth and Nicholas Recktenwald. At that place she grew to young womanhood. At the age of twenty-one years, she was united in marriage to Phillip J. Vennewitz at Long Prairie, where they made their home for a short time. They had resided in Brainerd, Little Falls, and Red Lake Falls before moving to Browerville in 1898. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living. By name they are: Mrs. F. Brusewitz, of Mt. Vernon, Washington; Mrs. H. Wakefield, Mrs. Henry Thiegs, Herman and Edward, all of Sauk Centre; Rudolph of Sacramento, California, and Louie of Alexandria. Two children, Minnie and Sidonia, died while very young. Mrs. Vennewitz was a good Christian woman, a member of St. Peter’s church, the Christian Mothers’ society and several other church organizations. She was always among the first to give aid in any form for any good purpose, had led a quiet home life, individual of the many social activities of the village. During the past few years of her life when her eyesight and general health were so poor, she scarcely left her home except to attend church or visit at the homes of her children. She was a good wife, mother and friend, and will be mourned by a wide circle outside her immediate family. Funeral services were held today (Friday) from St. Peter’s church in this village, Rev. Father Billmayer having charge. Interment was made in the parish cemetery [now Christ the King Catholic Cemetery]. Besides her husband, children and 11 grandchildren she is survived by three sisters: Mrs. M. C. Schoenberger of Park Rapids; Mrs. Margaret Sieloff of Delano, Minn., and Mrs. Ed W. LaMere of Great Falls, Montana, and one brother, Wm. Recktenwald, of St. Cloud. All of the children, brother and sisters, were expected to be present at the funeral.” (Long Prairie Leader, 7 October 1926, page 12, column 6)

On 29 December 1932, Catharine’s husband, Philip (age 78), died in Sauk Centre. He is buried beside Catharine at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery in Browerville.
Bio by K. O’Brien