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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Catherine
Anderson
December 12, 1957 – November 23, 2024
Obituary
Catherine Michele Anderson, 66, of Racine, WI, passed away on November 23, 2024.
Catherine was born on December 12, 1957, to Joan and John Anderson in Racine, WI. As one of four siblings, Catherine grew up with a passion for learning, nature, and history, which shaped her remarkable career and personal life.
Catherine graduated from Walden III high school in Racine, WI in 1976. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology (magna cum laude) from the University of Milwaukee in 1989, where she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to conduct archaeological work and study at Cambridge University. Catherine went on to earn her Master of Arts in Anthropology with a specialization in Archaeology from Binghamton University in New York in 1993, and she later became a PhD candidate.
During her time as a graduate student, Catherine distinguished herself as a talented researcher, writer, and educator. She taught extensively as a graduate teaching assistant and was hired as an adjunct professor at Binghamton University to teach seminars on academic writing to undergraduate students in her department. As an archeologist, Catherine contributed to research on public sanitation and its relationship to historical archeology. Her career included directing and conducting field and laboratory research in England, New York, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana, with a particular focus on New Orleans, Louisiana. She also contributed her expertise to a program that introduced archaeological excavation techniques to at-risk youth, one of many ways she dedicated her time to helping and serving others.
Catherine met her former spouse, Christopher Hays, in their Anthropology program at Binghamton University. As a mother, she continued her dedication to teaching by homeschooling her daughter for several years, and raising her to be curious, independent, and passionate about learning.
Catherine worked for the Wisconsin Department of Justice at the Milwaukee Crime Laboratory from August 2011 until December 2023, when she retired so that she could devote more time to her native plant garden and restoring the historical charm of her beloved home.
In addition to her professional and educational achievements, Catherine possessed a lifelong passion for botany and ecology, which she pursued in her backyard native plant garden, transforming it into a sanctuary for native bees, birds, and other wildlife. Catherine was also a devoted animal lover who shared her home with many cats and dogs throughout her life.
Catherine is survived by her daughter, Emily Hays; her siblings Elizabeth (Doug) Nerad and Geoff (Sue) Anderson; and her nieces and nephews, William Nerad, Madeline Nerad, Sam Aiken, and Elyse Thurman.
She is preceded in death by her sister, Susan Aiken, as well as her parents, Joan and John Anderson.
Private family services were held for Catherine at Purath-Strand Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Milwaukee chapter of Wild Ones in Catherine's name, as she worked closely with them for years to transform her garden into a sanctuary for native wildlife.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Catherine Anderson, please visit our flower store.
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