Catherine "Cathy" M. Breitenbucher

Catherine M. Breitenbucher (Lowry)

              Age 69 of Whitefish Bay.           

             Married for 42 years to Kent R. Lowry, and also survived by their daughter, Greta.

            Cathy was born Jan. 3, 1957, in Keokuk, Iowa, and always considered herself an Iowan and a Hawkeye. She began a journalism career at age 17 with an after-school job at the local newspaper. In 1979, she was graduated with a B.S., in journalism and political science from the University of Iowa, Iowa City. She worked on the sports staffs at The Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, Iowa) and Pioneer Press Newspapers (Chicago Northshore suburbs) before becoming a sports writer at the Milwaukee Sentinel in 1982.

            While at the Sentinel, she met and fell for Kent, who was a news-department copy editor. They were married May 26, 1984. He was able to accompany Cathy to the Los Angeles Olympics later that year, the first of three Olympics she covered for the Sentinel. Later, at the 1988 Calgary Winter Games, she won acclaim from fellow journalists for her sensitive work as pool reporter following speed skater Dan Jansen’s fall in the 500 meters. She also covered the 1988 Summer Games in Seoul, South Korea. In 10 years at the Sentinel, her beats at various times included golf, University of Wisconsin football, high schools, hockey and women in sports.

            After daughter Greta joined the family in March 1992, Cathy left the Sentinel to launch a freelance writing career. Among her many clients were publications as large as Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post and People magazine, and as small as Speedskating World magazine in The Netherlands. She authored two books on speed skating -- “Bonnie Blair: Golden Streak” in 1994, and “A Basic Guide to Speed Skating” in 2002. Cathy also spent nearly 20 years as a contributor to what is now known as MKE Magazine, including some 15 years as a medical writer.

            Cathy concluded her working years promoting her book, “My Two Elaines: Learning, Coping, and Surviving as an Alzheimer’s Caregiver,” written in 2016 with former Wisconsin Gov. Martin J. Schreiber. Cathy was able to turn what was in Marty’s head and heart into a helpful guide for people in the difficult role of caregiver. She and Marty spent 2½ years on the road attending conferences and author events in 12 states. They bonded over KwikTrip cheeseburgers and early-morning airport breakfasts. Cathy considered it the honor of a lifetime to tell Marty’s story and call him a friend.

            Beginning with the first Olympics she attended as a 19-year-old spectator (Montreal 1976), sports and travel were among Cathy’s passions. In addition to working at three Olympics, Cathy attended the Games two other times (Atlanta 1996 and Salt Lake City 2002), both with Kent and Greta. She also was thrilled to cover the Drake Relays, Olympic Trials track meet at the original Hayward Field, and spend time at the historic Olympic Stadiums in Rome, Stockholm and Helsinki. She covered countless speed skating meets in Milwaukee. She also enjoyed visiting family and newspaper friends around the country and attending the “Brotherhood” reunions each summer with the Breitenbuchers. Door County was another favorite destination; every sunset was a treasure.

            Cathy was a longtime member of the University of Iowa Alumni Association and the Milwaukee Area I-Club; Local 51 Milwaukee Newspaper Guild; the Association for Women in Sports Media; and Holy Family Parish in Whitefish Bay.

            Cathy was a runner for most of her life, beginning when she was 13 years old, and an active member/volunteer of the Badgerland Striders running club since 1982. At the age of 25, she finished her first marathon, and when she was 50 she joyously took on that challenging distance once again. She raced half-marathons in 16 different states from 1981-2024.

            Cathy was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2014. Thanks to surgery, five months of chemotherapy, and remarkable personal support, she enjoyed more than six years of remission.

            Cancer recurred in the summer of 2021, just as she was in training for the virtual version of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon. With the encouragement of her medical team, Kent, Greta, and many friends, in October 2021 she completed the 26.2-mile race in Estabrook Park and Whitefish Bay. Two days later, she was back at St. Luke’s to begin Cycle #3 of chemo.

            She greatly disliked the “battle” and “journey” language that often surrounds cancer. She did not consider herself “courageous.” Instead, she focused on living her life fully regardless of the treatments she might be receiving.

            Survivors also include brothers Jim (Sue) Breitenbucher of Knoxville, Tenn.; and Tom (Karla) Breitenbucher of Bourbonnais, Ill.; sister-in-law Karla (Ken) Farrar of Charleston, S.C.; brother-in-law Dwight Van Horn (Paula Grady) of Iowa City, Iowa; nieces, nephews and other relatives, and friends.

            Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Cynthia Breitenbucher; parents-in-law Dr. Charles and Norma Lowry; and sister-in-law Anita Lowry.

            Memorials are suggested to Holy Family Parish or the Keokuk Union Depot Foundation (P.O. Box 463, Keokuk, IA 52632).

            Cathy, Kent and Greta gratefully acknowledge the teams at West Allis Memorial and St. Luke’s hospitals and clinics for their lifesaving work. Special thanks to Drs. Ali Mahdavi, Scott Kamelle and Manish Pant; social worker Brad Zimmerman; nurse navigators Laurie Kadunc, Oli Catic and Susie Siettmann; Nina Adams, NP; Katie Soung, APNP; Mary Lees, APNP; staff at Aurora Hospice; and all the RNs, healthcare heroes, and smiling receptionists and valet parking employees.

            Visitation will be held for Cathy on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, from 2:00pm until the time of Eulogy at 3:50pm followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 4:00pm, all at Holy Family Parish Church, 4825 North Wildwood Avenue, Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, 53217. A reception will follow the Mass. Burial will be private.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Catherine "Cathy" M. Breitenbucher, please visit our Tree Store.