Catherine Marie "Cathy" (Sedlmeier) Noggle

Born to life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on February 25, 1958, the daughter of Anthony and Carol (nee Arnsdorff) Sedlmeier, Cathy was born to eternal life surrounded by her loving family on June 17, 2020, in Chandler, Arizona at the age of 62 years. She is reunited in Heaven with her dear husband Michael Noggle, her loving son Jason Noggle, her beloved mother Carol Sedlmeier and her cherished sister Jean Sedlmeier. Cathy is survived by her loving son Nicholas (fiancé Jenna) Noggle, her beloved father Anthony Sedlmeier, her cherished siblings Mark (Jean) Sedlmeier, Michael (Sharon) Sedlmeier, Mary Etzkin and Christine Sedlmeier, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cathy worked in the insurance industry and was a graduate of Pius XI High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Visitation will be held for Cathy on Thursday, June 25, 2020, from 4:00pm until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 6:00pm, all at St. James Catholic Church, W220N658 Town Line Road, Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Interment will be at St. Anthony Cemetery in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

May she rest in peace. Amen.

NICHOLAS  NOGGLE'S  EULOGY  TO  HIS  MOTHER

For some years, I had been joking with my mother that I was going to do her eulogy as Forrest Gump.  I told her I would open with “Mama was a real smart lady.  She had a way of explaining things so I could understand them.”  We would laugh, and we would move on.  It was just the type of relationship we had, and the type of person she was, that we could laugh at just about anything.  But those were jokes, and as painful as the reality is for us all, here we are, a day that we hoped wouldn’t be so soon.  In all seriousness…

My mother was an absolutely incredible person.  I don’t think it was until she got sick that I realized how truly incredible she was, in her attitude, and in the response of those around her who love her.  When my father passed, she wasn’t much older than I am today, and I don’t for a second think that wasn’t incredibly difficult for her.  But she became what she needed to be in that moment; she rose to the occasion and for years we referred to her as “the bear” for the simple fact that she was the toughest 5’3” woman you might ever meet.  But perhaps it was more fitting in that she was as tough and protective as a mama bear.

For years it was just my mother and I; she spent her time keeping me in school and out of trouble.  I wasn’t always the best son and, at times, I was downright terrible.  But she never gave up and was always there when you needed her, no matter who you were or what you had done.  She was incredibly forgiving and could forgive and offer help in the same breath.  Her capacity to love and help others was unparalleled; she would give all the time and every dime she could to help anyone who asked, even when working two jobs just to make sure that I had every opportunity available.  In fact, she bought the suit and shoes I am wearing today for me the night before I was to receive an award, just so I would have something special to wear.

Before she got sick, her retirement plan was to work part time, take some craft classes, and volunteer to work with veterans.  That was just her way; she loved to be busy and put others before her own needs, to the extent that sometimes I had to remind her to enjoy the present.  My mother led a very full life, and was so excited to retire to Arizona, very much looking forward to my wedding and grandkids.  I think they are the ones who will miss out the most.  But unfortunately her time ran short.  Some stars burn too bright for this world, and fulfill their mission too soon for those left behind.  Having helped shape the person I am today, she knew she could move on without regret, that her job was done.  She wanted nothing more than to give back and asked nothing in return, and she was fiercely independent.  In fact, when she first got sick, one of her first thoughts she shared with me was that she should move into assisted living. 

I let her know that after all she had done for me and, over the past couple years, Jenna, we were going to do everything we could to take care of her.  We did everything we could to protect her.  Mom had knowledge beyond what she let on, and was funny to the end.  One of her last nights when Jenna and I were taking care of her, having had a rough time the night before, I said let’s not have another night like that.  She told us “…that was a hoax.,” and just smiled.  Until the very end she was positive and vividly animated, with blue eyes that shone bright through all her suffering.  Even though she was never in physical pain, her suffering was emotional.  In April, before her second round of radiation, she expressed to me that “…she didn’t want to go out like this.”  In her mind, her illness was her fault, and she felt guilty.

When my wedding had to be moved, as well as with her own illness. she told me that we make plans and God laughs at us; yet, always believed things happened for a reason.  The last year we had with her provided the opportunity for her and Jenna to become close, to share stories and recipes and laughs, all too often at my expense, and gave me the opportunity to spend time with her I otherwise wouldn’t have.  In the end, she knew it was her time and went out on her own terms.  I believe she chose the morning she passed because I was able to sit with her all night, and to make the call early that Wednesday morning, just hours before her father was leaving, for everyone to be with her.  I had also told her she couldn’t die on a Tuesday because it was too reflective of Forrest Gump, so she held on for a few more hours, and allowed us the chance to say goodbye. 

We are grateful for the opportunity, however painful it might have been at times, to take care of her.  Jenna and I were blessed for her to ask us to be there when she was called home to be with those who left this world before her. 

Mom trusted her life and fate to the Lord, and accepted those things she could not change, even apologizing to us for her illness.  She shared with me on one of her final nights that “…this is hell.”  Thus, today is not a time of mourning, but rather a celebration of her life, and that she has left the suffering of this world to be at peace in the Kingdom of Heaven.  She loved each and every one of you more deeply than you can ever know.  While she is no longer with us, she is with God, and she lives on in all she taught us, and in uncountable memories.  I can only hope and strive that when my time comes, people will look back at my life in the same light.  I love you mom.

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