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Cathy Turner

December 24, 1957 ~ September 10, 2019

Catherine 'Cathy' Turner, 61, of Marion, died Tuesday, September 10, 2019, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha, after a short and courageous battle with cancer. Celebration of Life Gathering: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, September 15, 2019, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. The family encourages guests to wear bright colors to honor Cathy. Private Inurnment: Bluff View Cemetery, Vermillion, South Dakota. Survivors include her children, Sara Colling (Dennis Sweeney), Abbey (Mike) Pfeiffer, Laura Colling, Liz (Michael) Finley, and Nate Turner; twelve grandchildren; sister, Sandi (Denny) Johnson; and many extended family members and friends. Catherine Mary Brown was born December 24, 1957, in Vermillion, South Dakota, to Manny and Lucy (Jarchow) Brown. She graduated from Spencer High School in Spencer, Iowa, in 1976. She attended Kirkwood Community College, earning her Associate's Degree in Human Resources. Cathy worked as an HR Manager for many years. She enjoyed gardening flowers and plants, bird and squirrel watching, reading novels, and keeping up on current world events and politics. Cathy enjoyed interior decorating and was known to paint and remodel as she saw fit. She was a generous and supportive individual, caring for her parents until their passing, and later adopting two of her grandchildren as her own. Family was of the utmost importance to Cathy, and she loved her children and grandchildren very much. Cathy was a resilient, determined, and strong-willed woman, which was especially exemplified after her diagnosis in May of this year. She will be missed by her loving family. Cathy was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Tom Brown.

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  1. I was employed at Merry Maids with Cathy as my boss, leader, friend, advisor, listener and supporter. She took very good care of her employees and customers. May your family find peace in your absence and live on your memories. You will be greatly missed Cathy. Thank-you for your friendship, Love always, Becky Baker

  2. I also worked with Cathy at Merry Maids. She was such a fun loving person. God bless you and comfort you in this trying time.

  3. Cathy was a bridesmaid in our wedding (tomorrow is our anniversary). She was a friend, classmate and one of the funniest people I know! We will miss her and our hearts are broken! Sending warm thoughts and prayers to her family. SHS ‘ 76 for life!💔

  4. I worked worh Cathy at Sears. She trained me as a recruiter and we spent hours every day calling each other for help or see what was going on. I am devestated and so incredibly sorry for your loss

  5. My deepest sympathy to Cathy’s family. She was a classmate of mine, and I always enjoyed visiting with her. A very kind and beautiful soul who will be missed.

  6. Cathy was a classmate of mine, I loved her laugh and her love of life. She will be missed but never forgotten!

  7. This was a photo of Cathy, Abbey and me at our wedding. I am so thankful she got to witness and be a part of our special day. She helped me out a lot when my mom died and someone I always talked to for advice. She was a great mother-in-law and friend. We always joked a lot and I will miss our political talks and playful banter. She was one of the strongest women I ever met. Cancer is an evil thing..and it is very hard to watch someone you care about go through this. I am so happy she is at peace, not in pain and no longer struggling. We all love you and will miss you very much! It is reassuring to know we will have another guardian angel watching over us.

  8. Cathy and I have been friends since the 4th grade when they moved to Spencer. Spent many hours at the Brown’s home with Manny and Lucille as well as with Sandi and Denny. Many precious memories of growing up with her-she was my special friend. God bless all of the family. She was loved by many and will be missed by anyone who met her. Peace to you Cathy.


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