Catherine Rose
Catherine “Cathy” Rose nee Krause, 76, passed away at Tri-County Hospital in Whitehall on September 4, 2025.
Through many channels, Cathy Rose became part of everyone’s story who knew her. She was the first employer of many local teenagers. She made special events feel homemade by baking and decorating custom cakes. She made meals that tasted like you were eating with family at home from her restaurant The Backroads in Taylor, Wisconsin. She was always a mother to anyone who needed that extra bit of love. She believed that in offering one of her from scratch desserts, she could soften any problem, relieve any stress and console any sadness. She was the personification of determination, proving to everyone she could do anything despite any obstacle. “Don’t worry, I got it” was her mantra.
After losing her right arm to cancer, instead of surrendering and going on disability, she leaned into the challenge and expanded her business from a simple bar known as the P-Nut to a humble supper club named The Backroads. Iconically, though being right-handed and losing her right arm to cancer, she even re-taught herself to crochet while still mastering using her new prosthetic arm.
During the 35 years that she spent self-employed as “head-nut” at the P-Nut/Backroads, as she got older and slower many people who loved her begged, pleaded, even tried bribing her to retire and relax. Cathy never would. She saw herself as someone who could not only take care of herself but needed to be available to care for others. The restaurant eventually became an extension of her heart, a vessel in which she could extend her love for the people around her and share that love on a daily basis. It was important for her to be needed, which could be seen in her secret recipes only she could recreate from memory. She was also very happy to be on the sidelines and found contentment watching others enjoy themselves.
To be photographed or to be the center of attention did not feel authentic to her, as she did not want to be the focus. Little did she know that she was the center of a lot of people’s lives and that so many people cared for her the same as their own family members.
Throughout her life, Cathy had a variety of careers and passions. She was a Home Economics Teachers Manifest (if anyone remembers that class in High School), she made her own clothes (with her mother’s help) in high school, crocheted baby blankets for her friends, and professionally decorated cakes. In her youth and up until her early 40’s, she had the time to go camping and occasionally fishing with her brothers, nieces, and nephews. She enjoyed relaxing boat rides and campfire sing-alongs well into the night. She had a fine tune green thumb with indoor and outdoor plants, including large vegetable gardens for extensive canning. As life got busier raising 3 spirited and rambunctious boys, she always carved out a little time while working multiple jobs. Whether it was making PB&J sandwiches and tuning into Sesame Street for Brandon while she worked on village clerk book work, or Ryan at the kitchen table at night doing homework while she decorated wedding cakes or making Shane an astronaut costume from a McCalls sewing pattern, she made it work the best she could with excellent German multitasking skills.
Throughout her life, some loves remained the same, like her love of scary books and movies-her favorites were by Stephen King, her insatiable sweet tooth, and that crafty twinkle in her eye when she got you good with a quip. She was known for her stubborn German streak, but she was also a softie, easily crying at a sentimental commercial on TV. Her generosity was tremendous, seen through her never-ending stream of orphaned cats, her guest room was an open door for people she loved to figure things out and get back on their feet. Her heart and one remaining arm were there for almost anyone needing a hug or a pat on the back.
Our only hope from her three sons to the community is that you make it a habit to find your own unique repeated recipes that make your kitchens fill with the aromas of home and love. And, that you share that food with people that are lonely, and people that have no families with whom to share a meal. So, you can have your eyes light up when you see others enjoy your homespun meal the way Cathy did.
She is survived by her three sons, Shane, Ryan, and Brandon; her sister, Barbara (Melvin) Moldenhauer; her brother, Dennis (Jolene) Krause; and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind an endless list of people who considered her a second mother or grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her parents Harvey and Evelyn Krause of Neillsville, WI and her brother, Arthur.
The family invites all who loved her to join them at the Taylor Rod & Gun on Saturday, September 13, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. to celebrate her sweet tooth and her taste in music. Wearing something colorful and cheerful would be appreciated. Please bring any song requests if you would like to lead a sing-along of any of those iconic campfire/pontoon songs.