Cathy was struck by a pick-up truck and killed instantly while roller blading on Thursday evening, July 27, 2000. She was taking a summer chemistry class at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls, MN and her chemistry final was the next day. In her own innocent and care-free way, Cathy was out “getting some air” before reviewing her notes and text for the last time. Little did we know this was her time. God was working out His plan for her life that would take her from our arms on earth to His arms in heaven.

Even though we know the most loving and caring arms are those of her heavenly Father, our arms long to hold her and our hearts are heavy with the ache of missing Cathy. She loved Jesus and wanted to share Him and His love with those around her. Before beginning her summer class Cathy was a counselor at Camp Good Mourning, a kids and teens grief camp. She was a natural at putting sunshine in people’s lives.

Like her five sisters, Cathy was uniquely gifted. She had a special talent for music and loved to dance. She played the piano by ear and had the uncanny ability of reproducing, from memory, the songs and music she heard and she would play them with a graceful touch that soothed, and warmed, and blessed your heart. It wasn’t unlike Cathy to purposely sit at the piano and provide an afternoon concert for her dad, who was out working in the garden, just because she knew he loved to hear her play.

Cathy loved life and made the most of hard circumstances by finding something redeeming about them. Kind-of-like what Paul talked about in Philippians 4:11b-13, where he said, “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Contentment is not to be found in our circumstances, which are uncertain. Contentment is found in a personal relationship with God, through faith in Jesus Christ, who in spite of circumstances, gives us the strength to make something good come out of them.

Cathy gave more to life than she took from it. Her earthly possessions were few, we discovered, in attempting to gather her things together to serve as reminders to us of her. What we found was that her special treasures – the reminders of her – she had already given to her family and friends. Cathy gave us what she valued most - love, friendship, caring and her faith in the One who gave her courage, hope and a passion for living.

In High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society, was active in cheerleading, concert, jazz and pep bands, B.P.A., Spanish Club, track and cross-country, and she worked at the Warroad Care Center throughout high school and college. Cathy loved taking care of people, especially the elderly. She attended Northwest Technical College in East Grand Forks, MN, graduating with an Associate in Applied Science Practical Nursing Degree. She planned to attend Northland Community College in Thief River Falls, MN the fall of 2000 to work toward her RN degree.

She was a real encouragement to those who knew and loved her. She loved her Lord, and set a wonderful example for others to follow. As a family, we miss Cathy more than words could ever tell. We miss her effervescent smile, her laugh, her witty sense of humor, her thoughtfulness and little acts of kindness, and just being with her. Her years were short on this earth – not for her, but for us. She crammed a lifetime into 19 years, 11 months and 29 days. We are better persons for having had the privilege of being her family. She taught us the value of making a difference in the lives of other people by giving ourselves and for this we are truly and eternally grateful.