Catherine Brady
Age - 98
December 8, 2023
Catherine Petersen Brady (98), born March 19, 1925, lived a faith-filled life and died peacefully in her home surrounded by family on December 4, 2023. Catherine is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Brady, her parents, Helen and Soren Petersen, and her brothers, John, Jim, and Frank Petersen. She is survived by her siblings, Patricia Honaker of Loveland, CO, and her brother, James Petersen of Iowa City, IA; her seven children, Kevin of Farmers Branch, TX; Christopher (Bev); Patrick (Terry); Mike (Van Graves); Cathy; Tim; and Maureen all of Wichita and her three grandchildren, Sara of Kansas City, MO; Becky (Paul) Meissbach of Coto de Caza, CA; and Steven of Wichita. Catherine was born to Helen and Soren Petersen (an immigrant from Denmark) in Sioux City, IA. The family ultimately settled in Garden City, KS and Catherine graduated from Garden City High School in 1942. She then went on to study at Sacred Heart College (now Newman University). She began her working career as an oil secretary for Shallow Water Oil Co, then moved on to work for the Maurice Brown Oil Co. in Kansas City, MO. She lived in a beautiful big home south of the Country Club Plaza with some girlfriends, which was where she met her future husband, Joseph Brady. They were married in 1953 in Garden City and made their home in west Wichita at the original location of Brady Nursery on south Tyler Rd. Catherine worked faithfully alongside her husband, together cultivating both the business and their family. Catherine had a very good mind for business, as well as becoming very knowledgeable in all aspects of horticulture. She was fundamental to the enduring success of Brady Nursery for the remainder of her life. She formally retired from her daily duties at Brady Nursery at the spry age of 97! While working long days, she always made time for her children's many sports, Girl & Boy Scout activities, and summer vacations. She was a very active member in the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, having been a founding member with her husband of Christ the King Church, St. Francis of Assisi Church and finally, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. She also served as a Girl Scout leader at St. Francis of Assisi in the 1970s, making a positive impact on many young girls' lives. When her grandchildren began school at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (SEAS), the highlight of their week was seeing their grandma at every single 8:00am school mass that their class attended for the entirety of their tenures at SEAS. In 2009, Catherine was awarded the St. Maria De Mattias Award from Newman University for her dedicated involvement and devotion to the Catholic faith, Catholic community of Wichita and Newman University. Catherine lived a very full life, having witnessed first hand many historical events and societal evolutions. She often told stories of how her family endured the Dust Bowl and the impact that the Great Depression and rationing had on her community. She was born into a world where having fresh ice was a luxury and spent the last few years of her life catching up with family members over video calls. Even though she enjoyed modern conveniences, she could always be found taking the dustcover off of her trusty typewriter to write important letters and business communications. Catherine saw an extreme amount of change in her lifetime yet she stayed true to her values and the virtues that formed her into the amazing woman we all knew and loved. In the later years of her life, she was provided dedicated care by her youngest son, Tim. She was able to continue to live an active life involved in her business, community, and church while living in the comfort of her own home. Catherine was known by many, and loved by all. She was thoughtful, gentle, and very humble. She lived a devout life to the Catholic faith and lead by example. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her held a special spot in their heart for her. She will be greatly missed by her family, who will forever consider her the best mother, mother-in-law and grandmother they could have ever had. Rosary: 6:00 pm, Monday, December 11, 2023. Funeral Mass: 10:00 am, Tuesday, December 12, 2023, both at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Memorial funds have been established with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School, 645 N. 119th Street West, Wichita, KS 67235, and Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, 8101 W. Central, Wichita, KS 67212. Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary. Show more
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