Catherine Rita (nee Bredlau) Shonka (age 72), of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on February 25, 2021.  She was a member of St. Vincent De Paul Parish and a Legion of Mary member. Catherine was born in Marshfield, Wisconsin to the late David Bredlau and Audrey (Nikolai) Kuehl.  She attended grade school at Saint John's Catholic School and later received her General Education Diploma in March 1975 from Mid-State Technical College.  She worked in the foodservice industry beginning in 1987 in many roles.  In 1993 she was trained as a Kitchen Assistant/Short Order Cook at the Cobb Training Center in Cobb, Wisconsin.  She had a career shift in 1994 working as a laborer at Spring Green Tech in Spring Green, Wisconsin.  Catherine provided volunteer service to the Soil Conservation Service and the Head Start Program working with Children.  In 2018 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and fearlessly beat it.  Catherine was exceptional at craft work including needlepoint, crochet, and other crafts and many people benefited from the beautiful handmade gifts she shared.  She used this talent to generate extra income when needed.  She enjoyed baking and cooking for her loved ones.  She was a self-starter with a quick wit and an infectious giggle. Catherine was preceded in death by her spouse, Joseph Shonka who passed away in 2018.  Catherine and Joseph lived in Lodi, WI, then moved to Wisconsin Rapids, WI, to happily live out their years together.  She was also preceded in death by her parents, David Bredlau and Audrey & Byron Kuehl; grandparents, Alois and Leonora Nikolai, her brother, Gerard Bredlau and her sister, Christine Halbur.  She is survived by her daughters, Lori Ann (George) Stetser and Renae Sigall; step-daughters, Jennie (Carel) Koch, Christine (Daren) Mazier, Laura Shonka Baynes, and Carol-Jo Shonka; her siblings, Rochelle Webb, Roslyn (Christopher) Dodd, Gail Peaslee, Paul (Carmen) Bredlau, Kevin (Joan) Bredlau, Andrew (Angie) Bredlau; sisters-in-law, Theresa (Michael) Palmer, Col. Bernadette Shonka (Ret.); her 12 grandchildren and her nieces and nephews. A Family Service will be held at St. Vincent De Paul Church in Wisconsin Rapids, WI on Saturday, April 10, 2021.  Visitation will begin at 10:00 am with Mass at 11:00 am.  In Lieu of flowers a donation to ADRC for Meals on Wheels to shut-ins would be appreciated.  The family wishes to thank Edgewater Haven, Ascension Riverview Hospital Cancer Unit and the Ascension Riverview Hospital Comfort Care for care and support as well as the St. Vincent De Paul Community for prayers and outreach over the past years.