Catherine Schalk

Our beloved mother, Catherine Bunch Lacy Schalk, made the journey to Heaven on August 5, 2026. Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in knowing she is reunited with the love of her life, Leroy. Catherine was born on August 19, 1932, in Enid, Oklahoma, to George and Marjorie Bunch. She grew up with her brother, Frank, and sister, Jean. After George married Goldie Smith, Mom gained not only a beloved stepmother but also a brother in Patrick Smith. Both held a special place in her heart for the rest of her life. Mom attended McKinley Elementary School, Emerson Junior High School, and proudly graduated with the Enid High School Class of 1950. She married Lee Lacy, and together they welcomed three daughters: Debra Lacy Graham, Teresa Lacy Thatcher, and Wynona Lacy Cook. Life wasn’t always easy, but Mom had a gift for making it special. She sprinkled a little magic into birthdays, Christmases, and everyday moments. Years later, she finally revealed how the Tooth Fairy always managed to slip money under our pillows without waking us—just in time for us to become Tooth Fairies for our own children. Her grandchildren, David Caldwell, Timothy and Robin Thatcher, and Jessica and Bryan Cook, were blessed to experience that same magic. On August 30, 1985, she married Leroy Schalk, the love of her life. Together they blended their families with Leroy’s children—Jerry, Dan, and Donna—and created the large family Mom had always dreamed of. If you saw one of them, the other was never far behind. They were true partners in every sense of the word. Mom believed that serving others was one of life’s greatest callings. She was a devoted Blue Bird and Camp Fire leader and volunteered for many years at Coolidge Elementary, where generations of first graders affectionately knew her as “Oma.” She and Leroy faithfully attended Calvary Baptist Church, and in her spare time she loved reading, crocheting, knitting baby afghans to give away, and cheering on the Enid High Plainsmen football team. She treasured every member of her family and was proud of each grandchild, great-grandchild, and great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy; her father, George Bunch; her beloved stepmother, Goldie Bunch; her brother, Frank Bunch; and her sister, Jean Lisi. Although we will miss her beyond words, we smile when we picture Heaven’s gates opening as Leroy welcomed her home. We like to think they didn’t simply walk through those gates together—they jitterbugged their way in, hand in hand, just as they danced through life together. Private family graveside service will be held Monday, August 10, 2026 in Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory.

Catherine Schalk

August 19, 1932 - August 5, 2026