MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Saturday, November 20, 2004 10:00 a.m.
Philip High School Armory
Philip, South Dakota

• Cathy served as an inspiration; a hope; and a light in the darkness for so many. Her courage and faith were deeper than any I have ever known. In her brief 42 years she touched more lives than many who lived years longer. We all are lucky to have known her and all are saddened by her passing. Take care of each other and someday there will be more smiles than tears. Her smile was infectious and that hopefully will get you through. God bless. ~ Nancy and Charlie Ekstrum Philip, SD and Green Valley, AZ (11/16/2004)
• Well, I didn't know Cathy, only thru State Farm, but I'm sure I may have met her when we lived in Philip, she was so young, hope she did not suffer. Must remember that the Lord must have needed Cathy more then she was needed on earth. That is the way I think when someone passes. My mother passed away from cancer Nov 12, 1981. ~ Deborah Freitas Laramie, Wyoming (11/16/2004)
• Bob and family,
  Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. There are never enough words to ease the pain, but know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Our hearts go out to each of you. Cathy was a very courageous person! ~ Don, Wanda Moses and Boys Fairmont, NE (11/16/2004)
• Bob, Leo, Joan and family...To you all I give you my deepest sympathy. It is so hard to understand why the Lord needs the good ones. I couldn't figure that out when we lost our Mom, but knowing where she is, helps so much. Same goes with Cathy, she is up in Heaven going to take care of you all from there. Cathy was younger than I was, but I remember growing up in Milesville with her and her sisters and brother. They were all such a neat family, and Cathy always had such a beautiful smile. It was like nothing seemed to bother her, and if it did, she didn't show it. You could tell that the Lord lived within her. The only good out of this, as I'm sure you have heard. She is in no more pain, there is quite a celebration going on in Heaven right now. My Mom, and others are there to show her around. God Bless and keep all those memories deep in your hearts.< God loves you all. ~ Lynette (Bendigo) Kurth Rapid City, SD (11/16/2004)
• To Cathy's Family: We were so sorry to read about Cathy in the paper. I taught her in the fifth grade and I remember so well that dark-haired, brown-eyed, beautiful, happy, smart, little girl. We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Nancy (Schofield) Russell ~ Tom & Nancy Russell Black Hawk, SD 57718 (11/16/2004)
• I know you will miss her so much--please know you are in my prayers. She was so full of laughter in high school and another one of us "country hicks"! ~ Shelia Trask Wasta, SD (11/16/2004)
• My thoughts and prayers go out to Cathy's Family. I will always remember playing Softball with Cathy, she was so fun and always joking and happy. I don't recall ever seeing her without a smile on her gleaming face. Now Heaven has a new Angel.
  God Bless Cathy and her Family. ~ Erica Williams 2626 Moose Dr., Sturgis, SD (11/16/2004)
• I am writing this note with great mixed feelings. We are all so deeply sad that Cathy is no longer with us on earth, but I know God has a very special place for Cathy in heaven. I am happy for her that she is at peace and free from the pain and suffering. I hope that all her wonderful friends and family can find some comfort in knowing that she is at peace with God.
  
  I remember all the good times we had growing up. Our families were and still are so close. All the 4-H meetings, religion class and high school days. Cathy was always a ray of sunshine and an inspiration to us all. Little did we realize that her time on earth was short. It might not have been as long as we would have liked, but it was powerful and impactful. She touched so very many lives and gave hope and inspiration to us all. I think of her often and feel so privileged that I had the opportunity to know such a wonderful, courageous person!!!
  We will miss her!!! You all are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time
  Theresa ~ Theresa Pekron 11407 Depew Way, Westminster, CO 80020 (11/16/2004)
• My Cousin, My Friend , My Hero–
  
  I can’t possibly begin to define all the good times in growing up I’ve had with Cathy. One of the funniest hunting stories was when she, I and John Legler were waiting on everyone to finish up the Armstrong drive. John, said, hey Cathy, how about we go check out the Cottonwood draw while we wait for the others. Cathy, game for anything, said sure, so the 3 of us yayhoo’s drove over. Nothing there but a couple of doe. Upon returning, Leo took one look at us as said ”The three of you can walk the Cottonwood draw!”, knowing that was our punishment as there wouldn’t be anything there as we had already been there. We laughed the whole long, cold walk. So many hunting stories. I loved it the year Cathy shot the 2 big monsters a few minutes apart and Bob, the Great White Hunter, had to use his tag. Like always, he made many jokes about it costing her, but we all know deep down how very proud he was too. Couldn’t wait to send her the pictures I took of those.
  
  I do know she has been a rock of inspiration for me in the last 3 years. If she could fight her cancer 10 years ago while still raising her family, surely I can overcome some physical handicaps from a wreck. At my worst times, when I’d be down or feeling sorry for myself on how unfair life is, I only had to remember those worse off than me , with a much more difficult fight, the fight for life. It has helped me to write the funny quirks of raising teenagers in my regular cards to Cathy, as well as hopefully make her smile and remember some of her own escapades as well as those of her three children, who of course always get into some trouble because someone else talked them into it, not ever because they were the leaders or come from a family of followers, NOT.
  
  She told me one of the funniest was when my youngest had Vodka in a water bottle. Unbeknownst to me, when going into her room for something, I picked up the open water bottle and went to water a favorite plant, some 10+ years old. Unfortunately, by the time I had poured, and could smell, the whole bottle was in the plant, which was shriveling before my eyes. No wonder.
  
  I don’t know how she was always so cheerful and happy and always looking out for the rest of us, even with death facing us. I wanted so badly to come home during the last 3 weeks, but was unable to due to no traveling and another neck fusion, or I would have been there. Cathy still joked, laughed and cried on the phone as I barely had a throaty whisper to call her again when home from my surgery this last weekend. As always, she said she hopes I can get better and wished me luck. The only thing I could say was to please give Jerry and Grandma Kate a kiss and hug for me when she gets to heaven. Whenever my girls were growing up and they would loudly complain, “That’s NOT fair”, that no one ever said life was fair, so just suck it up. I didn’t realize as my years go by how in a minutes time that life could be so unfair, but I know there’s a greater plan for us all and I can only hope that Cathy will continue to look down on me and give all of us even a part of the strength that she had. I love and miss you so much, Cathy, my cousin, my friend, my hero. Love Cheryl ~ Cheryl . (11/16/2004)
• Bob, Kids, Leo & Joann and Family, Jim & Linda,
  We were saddened to hear that Cathy had passed. Sad to know that your family has lost such a special person. Cathy never failed to flash a smile and make you feel like everything was going well...I know everyone admired her determination and optimism. It was hard to hear of her passing, but knowing that she is free from such a terrible disease is a comfort. She gave everyone who knows anyone with cancer hope that they could "get back to the business of life"...it was such a pleasure to visit with her. We pray that you have many happy, loving memories to take to heart. May God bless and keep all of you. ~ Jason, Vonda, Nick and Carson Hamill Milesville, SD (11/16/2004)
• We are all devastated by Cathy's passing. Although we have not seen her in the last few years she was always close to our hearts. Our prayers are with Cathy and for God to give the family strength at this time of loss. We were so glad to have spent some time with her last year at the family reunion. We will always remember her vibrant out look on life. I pray she will look out for us now. She has no more pain or suffering. She surely is with God in heaven. ~ Ralph, George and Fran Gebes 324 Church St., Batavia, IL 60510 (11/16/2004)
• I will really miss Cathy. I have always admired her for her strength & upbeat attitude. I got such a kick out her quick wit & her ability to laugh so easily. I have so many good memories of times spent together as kids on her family's farm riding horses, good times in high school and then later as adults sharing stories with each other about our kids. She was so proud of her family. Please know that our hearts go out to you. God Bless you!
  Love, Glenn, Dianne, Shayla & Chelsea Parsons ~ Dianne Parsons Philip, SD 57567 (11/16/2004)
• Bob and family,
  Our prayers continue to go out to you, its been a long hard journey. I want you to know that Cathy will always be remembered by her loving smile and kind words. She always put a smile on my face and had a special place in my heart. We shared many good memories being classmates in high school and just being friends throughout our lives. If there is anything we could be of help with please don't hesitate to call upon us. Just always remember God only takes the best. May you find comfort in the days to come.
  Love, Cindy, Jeremy, Shawn, and Dana Kerns ~ Cindy Kerns Philip, SD (11/16/2004)
• Bob, kids, Leo, Joan and family. God bless you at this time. Cathy and I spent a great deal of fun times together in our younger years. My heart goes out to you all. ~ Stacy Dole 11800 Eastridge Hill, Black Hawk, SD 57718 (11/16/2004)
• Will miss her a lot ~ Rae Crowser Casa Grande, AZ (11/16/2004)