Kathleen M. (Devine) Curry-Wagner, age 91 passed away on Saturday, July 14, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. Kathleen was born November 7, 1926, Phlox, WI to Martin and Frances Clark Devine, –the 6th of 11 children. She attended St. Joseph’s School in Phlox, Mattoon High in Mattoon, matriculated in the School of Nursing at Marquette University in 1944, and then entered the United States Cadet Nurse Corps at St. Agnes School of Nursing, graduating in May of 1948 with an R.N. degree.
She worked at the Veterans Hospital in Wood until her marriage to James C. Curry on June 18, 1949 at St. Joseph’s Church in Phlox. Following his internship at St. Agnes, they moved to Mt. Calvary and practiced general medicine with Dr. Joseph Miller.
During his 3-year internal medicine residency at Milwaukee County General Hospital in Wood, Kathleen worked at Milwaukee County in Orthopedics and Medical wards. While Dr. Curry took his fellowship in Allergy and Arthritis at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, she also took classes in music and medical technology to be his assistant in the office. When their first adopted child arrived, she became a full-time mother and homemaker.
She also frequently took advantage of the many educational opportunities available in the community such as continued education for women. On October 15, 2010, Kathy married the late Jacob George Wagner at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church. She had multiple interests: sewing, quilting, playing bridge, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, volunteer teaching at Red Cross, and the school program at Mosquito Hill.
Kathy was active in SeniorNet, through which she had done some teacher aide; she was also a hospice volunteer. Kathy also has been working on the genealogy of both her family and that of Jim’s for over 40 years. Her number one interest was in traveling to new places, visiting the lands of her ancestors, and was extremely happy to have her photo taken on an iceberg in the Antarctic Ocean, thus having visited all 7 continents.
Her most memorable trip was in 2006, a National Geographic “Around the World by Private Jet”. She was a 10-yr member of the Red River 4-H Club in Phlox, St. Bernard’s Community, Crozier Society, Catholic Foundation, Ave Maria Chapter of Catholic Daughters, St. Agnes School of Nursing alumni, Medical Auxiliary of Outagamie County, Outagamie County and State Historical Societies, Outagamie and Irish Genealogical Society of Wisconsin, and Friends of Mosquito Hill. Her children survive her: Kathleen (Robert) Rettig-Curry of New Richmond, Christopher (Marce Cornell) Curry and Eileen (Dan Plaisance) Curry of Appleton, Robert (Sandy) Wagner of Waupaca, James (De De) Wagner of Westbend, and Linda (Peter) Van Beaver of Wilbraham, Massachusetts; five grandchildren: Rebecca (Seth) Carr, Patricia Curry and Brent Curry, Alexander Rettig, and Nicholas (Brittany) Curry and their son Dominic.
She is further survived by her sister Elaine (Dr. Ronald) Rosandic of Albuquerque, New Mexico; sisters-in-law: Patricia (J Marty), Julie (Pat) and Anna (David); and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents: Martin and Frances Clark Devine and brothers, who were career navy: Harold during the Battle for the Philippines, Patrick, Robert (Juaweice), David, Leonard-and J. Martin “Marty” a marine veteran; sisters: Florence (Jerry) Schlegel, Charlotte Lutz, and Dorthy (Anton) Duffek; and sister-in-law, Eloise (Leonard) of Poway, California; brothers-in-law Clarence Lutz and Frances Person of Antigo. A Funeral Service for Kathy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 1617 W Pine Street, Appleton, with Fr.
Amal Roche and Fr. Dennis Ryan concelebrating. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, may be made to the James C. Curry Scholarship Fund at Xavier High School for tuition grants of the St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Community Fund, in the Dr. James and Kathleen Curry Fund to assist uninsured or underinsured patients. The Family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Ascension Affinity Hospice for their care and compassion.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.