Catherine Thayer

Catherine Ann Thayer, 76, of Dallas Center, formerly of West Des Moines, passed away surrounded by her family Thursday, January 19, 2017 at Unity Point Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. Services were held Monday, January 23 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee. Burial followed at Beaver Catholic Cemetery near Granger.

Catherine was born January 11, 1941 in Waukon to Walton and Mary (Baxter) Mellick. After graduating from St. Patrick’s Catholic High School, she attended and graduated from the Mercy School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids in 1962. Catherine started her career in nursing at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

She married Clarence Thayer June 20, 1964 in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waukon. They made their home in Cedar Rapids where their six children were born.  Clarence was transferred to Des Moines and they raised their family in the Des Moines/Granger area. During her career in Des Moines she worked for Mercy Hospital, then moved to the field of geriatric care and retired as Director of Nurses for Bishop Drumm Care Center in Johnston in 2003. As part of her duties, Catherine especially enjoyed training individuals that were interested in the field of geriatric care.

Catherine enjoyed spending time with her 16 grandchildren and her dog, Haley. Traveling with her husband, Clarence, in their retirement was particularly enjoyable for her. She was also an avid Chicago Cubs Fan.

Catherine is survived by her husband, Clarence; two sons, David (Noelle) Thayer of Des Moines and James (Jacki) Thayer of Norwalk; four daughters, Ann Marie (Doug) Beavers of Dallas Center, Mary (Dave) Steim of Ankeny, Diane (Scott) Kruse of Dallas Center and Sue Ellen (Trevor) Wulf of Hudson; 16 grandchildren; and her sister, Jean (John) Beck of Jackson, WI.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Bernadine Parrish.

Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.