Obituary of Catherine Margaret Tackman

CATHERINE MARGARET TACKMAN, 49, of Jefferson, died peacefully at her home on Jan. 30, 2012, surrounded by her loving family, after a three year struggle with multiple myeloma. She was born on May 16, 1962 in Milwaukee, the daughter of William and Mary Ellen (Schultz) Thompson. After graduating from Hartford High School, Catherine later received a bachelor's degree from St. Norbert College in De Pere, and a master's degree from Purdue University. From 1986 to 1991, she worked as a mathematics professor at Alverno College in Milwaukee. On April 16, 1988 she married Thomas Tackman at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Milwaukee. Catherine was very involved at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and School in Jefferson. Her passions were her Catholic faith and her family. Catherine will be deeply missed by her husband, Dr. Thomas Tackman of Jefferson; six children, Olivia, Emma, Henry, Isaac, Elijah, and Isabel; her parents, William and Mary Ellen Thompson of Richfield; 10 siblings, Sue (Doug) Luedke of Whitefish Bay, Jeff (Peg) Thompson of Menomonee Falls, Cindy Lancelle of Whitefish Bay, Laura (Matt) Powers of Rockford, Ill., David (Nancy) Thompson of Lancaster, Pete (Ann) Thompson of New Berlin, Amy (Greg) Gezella of Green Bay, Peggy (Mike) Swanson of Oconomowoc, Andrew (Hannah) Thompson of Cambridge, and Michael Moran of Milwaukee; her Godchildren, Nate Thompson, Matthew Levine, Matthew Lancelle, Trevor Gezella, Maddie Otto, Sam Thompson, Maggie Koker, and Tom Vermiglio. She is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jefferson, with the Rev. Thomas Coyle officiating. Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 3, from 4 to 8 p.m., concluding with a time of remembrance followed by the rosary. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at the church. Burial in the parish cemetery will follow the Mass. Those wishing to express sympathies through donations in Catherine's name may direct memorials to St. John the Baptist Catholic School. Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.schneidermichaelisfuneralhome.com. We would like to express our gratitude to Catherine's extended family, her many friends, the St. John the Baptist parish family, Fort HealthCare, and Dr. Walter Longo and his staff at UW Hospital and Clinics for their care, love and support given to her and her family.