Catherine Anna Vlach

Catherine Vlach (nee Lukes) beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully in her home, March 23, 2025 surrounded by her family, at the incredible age of 109. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Catherine was born to Ana and Ludwig Lukes on October 17, 1915 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Catherine met her husband Charles Vlach, through mutual friends and they married on October 2, 1938. They were blessed with a wonderful daughter Judith, two years later, whom she loved deeply. Catherine and Charles built their home together and a wonderful life with many special memories.
Catherine loved her family and shared wonderful stories of wild parties, pig roasts, and trips to Florida with family and friends. She loved to crochet, play cards, and have a beer with Sunday dinner. She lived through WWI, WW2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf Wars, and the Wars on terror. She survived the Great Depression, the Spanish Flu, and the COVID pandemic. She always said that you can never give up and as long as you keep moving, you'll keep moving!
She loved her family beyond measure and bragged about them to anyone who would listen. She loved animals and would feed the birds and deer. She loved her puppies, Cinders, Tiny, and Ginger and her grand-dog, Chico, and great-grand-pets, Mia, Lyla, Misty, and LeBron. Catherine also always had a garden and maintained one well into her 100's, growing tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. She could grow any kind of flower and knew the names of any one you would show her. She loved to watch the birds and also knew the names of almost any bird that flew into her yard. She was a master chef and baker, known for her famous apple and pumpkin pies, Christmas cookies, nut and poppyseed rolls, and kolacky. She made her own jelly, sauerkraut, and pickles vegetables.
Catherine was so thrilled to be the flower girl at her great granddaughter, Kristen's, wedding.
Catherine was a beautiful, kind, and generous woman, welcoming to everyone she met. She was never judgmental and forgave easily and loved deeply. She will truly be missed not only by all who loved her but all the people she touched in her 109 years on this earth.
Catherine is preceded in death by her parents, Ana and Ludwig, brothers, Frank and John, sister Mildred, husband, Charles, grandson, Daniel, and son in law, Daniel Sr. She is survived by her loving daughter, Judith Kendzierski, granddaughter, Deborah Nagy (Frank), great grandchildren, Kristen Puet (Brad), Frankie, Katherine, Michael, and Nicole.
Family will visit with friends at Steinbauer Funeral Home, 33375 Bainbridge Road, Solon on Thursday March 27, from 4-7 PM. Interment All Saints Cemetery, Northfield at 12PM Saturday March 29.