Catherine F. Loudenslager, age 98, of Marion, died peacefully Friday morning, June 17, 2011, at Kingston Residence.
On March 14, 1913, Catherine was born in Saunemin, Illinois, the oldest of four daughters of the late Roy and Lillian (Johnston) Holdridge.
Two years later the Holdridges moved to Marion County. Marion quickly felt like home to her, graduating from Marion Harding High School in the Class of 1931.
Catherine would later marry the young man she met while playing the violin in the Grand Prairie Orchestra, Forest Loudenslager. They were married on February 18, 1933, and shared over fifty-six wonderful years of marriage. They were the parents of three children and modeled the importance of hard work and service to the community. Forest preceded her in death on July 2, 1989.
A devoted homemaker and proud farmwife, Catherine always “worked behind the scenes” to help her husband and family. The farm’s success required many hands, including hers. She took great satisfaction in that no one ever left her kitchen table hungry.
Catherine served her community as a member of the YMCA board, PEO and the Junior Service Guild. She was an active member of the Epworth United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School and played in the orchestra with her husband. She took pride in her support of the Marion County Historical Society, the Palace Theater, The Ohio State University – Marion Campus, 4-H and the FFA.
Give her a needle and thread and Catherine would be happy for hours. She enjoyed quilting with her special group of friends as well as crocheting bedspreads and hundreds of doilies. Her grandchildren called her “Grandma Kitty” and many of her stitched creations carried that signature.
Catherine was known for her outgoing and jovial spirit. She was a selfless caregiver, always putting the needs of others before her own. She gladly cared for her father until he was 107. Catherine was blessed with a sharp mind and an amazing ability to recall the details of a life well lived.
Catherine will be dearly missed by her three children: Don (Reva) Loudenslager of Marion, and their children: Douglas (Barbara) Loudenslager, Deborah (Mike) Ralph, and Diane (Bob) Novotny; Roy (Judy) Loudenslager of Marion, and their daughter, Lynn (Brant) Zucker; and Jane (Ralph) Brown of Marion, and their children: Melinda (Ron) Hostetler, and Brian (Brenda) Brown. She was blessed with nineteen great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren. She will also be missed by her two younger sisters: Melissa Myers of Olympia, Washington; Jean Reeves of Pittsboro, North Carolina; numerous nieces, nephews and many special friends including Phyllis Colegrove.
In addition to her husband and parents, her sister, Helen Theobald, preceded Catherine in death.
The Loudenslager family will greet friends from 4 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, 2011, at the Epworth United Methodist Church, 249 E. Center St., Marion. Services honoring her life will also be held there on Friday at 10:30 a.m., with Rev. Daniel Kiger officiating. Her family will again greet friends for the hour prior to her services. Burial will follow in Grand Prairie Cemetery.
The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Catherine’s family.
Her family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Marion General Hospice or to the Marion County Historical Society. Contributions can be sent to the care of the funeral home.
Private condolences to Catherine’s family can be made online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
About Marion Online Obituaries
