December 23, 2025 – Allenton, WI – Catherine Anne LeRose was born on May 30, 1965, in Racine, WI to the late John J. and Barbara H. LeRose. She died on December 16, 2025, at the Kathy Hospice in West Bend, WI, after a short illness.
She worked professionally as a chef and caterer, and creatively as a poet, and was a cherished friend to everyone she met.
She received her undergraduate degree in Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1986, where she was also proud of her achievements in math. She went on to publish a book of her poetry, titled “Within the Realm of Life,” with the dedication reading “To Mom, for all it took.”
She eventually pivoted from writing to cooking, attending culinary school and traveling to Tuscany to hone her skills. She returned home to cook at The Wisconsin Club, Barttolota’s, and Ferrante’s in Milwaukee, as well as many other restaurants and catering businesses, eventually following her dream to open a food truck called The Rambling Rose.
Cathy’s specialty was Italian food, and she was famed for arancini balls, mostaccioli bakes, and her Italian beef that would have rivaled any made in the best Chicago restaurants. (And no, you still cannot have the recipe.)
Cathy was the heart of her family and the life of every party. She was a lifelong Deadhead, traveling to see The Grateful Dead for years in her youth. She loved music, especially “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Portrait,” by her brother.
She had a warm and genuine laugh and a kindness of spirit that was well known to all who loved her. She was blessed to find an equally kind and caring partner in her husband, Vince Billeb, whom she married after many happy years together on her sixtieth birthday this past May.
In addition to Vince, she leaves behind her siblings, Jack LeRose (Joan) of Milwaukee, Grace LeRof Richmond, VA, Paul LeRose (Deanna) of Cary, IL, and James LeRose (Sue) of Racine, as well as her loving siblings-in-law, Christina LeRose, Corinne Parker, Margie Burkwald (Mike) and Mark Billeb (Laura). She will be greatly missed also by her stepdaughter Sarah Heard (Dante), numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews, and the many, many friends who worshipped the ground she walked on.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her dear “bookend” sibling and oldest brother Charles LeRose, and her stepson, Mitchell Billeb.
For all those who knew and loved Cathy, and for those who didn’t, we ask that you honor her this holiday season by embodying her loving spirit. The world is a less gentle and kind place without her, and we all need to step up and fill the void. Be more like Cathy, and if that includes a plate of pasta or an Italian beef shared with someone you love, all the better.
Visitation will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (3200 S. Herman St., Milwaukee) on January 10, 2026, at 10 a.m., with a service at 11 a.m. to follow. Lunch will follow at Club Garibaldi, for all family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Catherine’s name to the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee are greatly appreciated.
