Faye Marie Binder Obituary
In Loving Memory of Faye Binder Faye Marie Binder, 89, of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, was born to Eternal Life on November 20, 2024. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and faith.
Faye was the beloved wife of the late Donald Binder, to whom she was married for 53 years. Preceded in death by her daughter, Kathleen. Loving mother of Mary (John) Pavlov of Mobile, AL, Sister Elizabeth Ann S.V. of Suffern, NY, Michael (Cynthia) Binder of Friendswood, TX, Brigid Binder of Menomonee Falls and Maureen (Yannick) Ratnayake of Pewaukee. Proud grandmother of Mollie Rosenbohm, Monica (Paul) Flowers, Christina (Ryan) Moss and John Paul Pavlov, Nicholas and Jack Binder, Kate (Matthew) Ludwig, Patrick, Margaret, Michael, and James Novacek, Peter (Hadley), Mary, Clare, Joseph, Thomas, Raphael and John Paul Ratnayake. Great-grandmother of Sophie, Luke, Alice, Phillip, Konrad, and Fulton. Dear sister of the late Bill (Katie) Pickett, Tom (Cindy) Pickett, and Mike (Kathy) Pickett.
Faye was born November 27, 1934 in Casco, in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. She was the oldest child of Nan and Walter Pickett. She grew up on a dairy farm, where her family made its livelihood. She attended school in a one-room schoolhouse and often described the difficult winters walking to and from school. Farm life wasn't for her, so after graduating from Casco High School, she decided to attend Marquette University, where she met her best friend Audrey. Faye recounted for many years the blind date that Audrey set her up on, where she met her future husband Don. In 1956, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the Marquette School of Nursing. Don & Faye married on May 4, 1957.
Faye began working as a nurse at Muirdale, a designated Tuberculosis Hospital. Through the years, she worked at St. Joseph's Hospital (Pediatrics), Menomonee Falls Nursing Home, and Milwaukee County Mental Health Center.
In 1963, Don built the house where they would raise their family. Faye instilled in her children the enduring traits of kindness, fortitude and faith, which she herself exuded. She highly valued the importance of a good education, and worked tirelessly to ensure they could provide this for their children. Faye was well-loved in the neighborhood, and spent lots of time over a cup of coffee with her neighborhood friends. She was always laughing, finding joy in the everyday, and never taking herself too seriously.
Faye had a strong faith, and her love for Jesus was always the center of her life. She was an avid reader, and enjoyed reading about & studying her Catholic faith. She helped bring many people closer to Christ, and fought tenaciously for all human life. She was a religious education teacher at St. Anthony's in Menomonee Falls for many years. She volunteered at the Women's Support Center and BirthRight of Milwaukee as a Crisis Pregnancy Counselor, always reaching out to those in need, and supporting those with unplanned pregnancies.
Faye had a great sense of style, design, and beauty. She loved to knit and sew, gifting many heirlooms through the years. She taught her grandchildren priceless lessons, including how to play cribbage, how to cook and how to knit - creating memories that each of her 26 grandchildren and great-grandchildren will never forget. She also loved music. In high school, she went to State for the tenor saxophone, and won a ribbon. In her adult years, she played the organ and accrued a large collection of records. She loved theater, musicals, and even got Don to attend dance classes so they could dance together.
Faye will be remembered for her many sacrifices, the examples she set, and the love she shared.
Visitation Monday, November 25 at Schmidt & Bartelt Funeral Home in Menomonee Falls, WI from 5-7 PM, and on Tuesday, November 26 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, N74 W13604 Appleton Ave., Menomonee Falls, from 9:30 AM until Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated at 10:30 AM. Burial to follow in church cemetery. Masses or donations to Sisters of Life are appreciated.
