Cathy Wilkins

Cathy Wilkins, age 49, of Decorah, Iowa, died suddenly Thursday, March 10, 2005, at the Winneshiek Medical Center, Decorah. Funeral services were held Monday, March 14, at Glenwood Lutheran Church, Decorah, with Rev. Susan Debner officiating. Burial was in Glenwood East Cemetery, Decorah. Schluter - Balik Funeral Home of Decorah was in charge of arrangements.

Cathy Marie Rude was born August 1, 1955, the daughter of Curtis and Martha (Sollien) Rude in Decorah. Cathy attended North Winneshiek school.

She married Loren Wilkins August 4, 1975, at the Highland Lutheran Church. Together they farmed and she raised their children. Cathy worked for Wapsie Produce for several years and then took care of her mother-in-law, Marion Wilkins, until she entered the nursing home last fall.

Cathy enjoyed playing cards, reading, listening to Alan Jackson music, doing word searches, talking on the phone, shopping for her grandchildren, and she especially loved her family and her grandchildren. Cathy was a member of the Glenwood Lutheran Church, the Joy of Hope Circle, and was a Sunday school teacher.

Cathy’s survivors include her husband, Loren Wilkins of Decorah; three daughters, Dawn Zweibohmer and fiancé Jason Schierholz of Luana, Iowa, and Marcia and Robin Wilkins, both of Decorah; two sons, Henry Wilkins and fiancee Renae Erickson of Ridgeway, Iowa, and Justin Wilkins and Marissa Sellner of Decorah; eight grandchildren, Caitlin, Ronnie, Julia, Chase, Elena, Curtis, Hailey, and Austin; her parents, Curtis and Martha Rude of Decorah; two sisters: Karen (Joel) Jermeland of Decorah and Deb (Dean) Stortz of Mabel, Minn.; and several nieces, nephews, and brothers- and sisters-in-laws.

Cathy was preceded in death by two grandsons, Jonathan Zweibohmer and Anthony Schierholz, and her grandparents, Johannes and Dora Sollien and Julius and Olga Rude.

Casketbearers were Earl and Shirley Buros, Paul and Mary Wilkins, Roger and LeAnn Espe, Larry and Penny Mestad, Beverly Phillips and Darin Nelson, Mike Ondrashek and Deanne Krambeer.